Liverpool 2-0 Manchester City: A Sunday Evening Demolition

I wasn't even fully awake when I started watching this match, coffee in hand, but I had a strong feeling about how this one would play out. "If City go one nil up, it'll end 2-2. If Liverpool go one nil up, it'll be three nil to Liverpool," I predicted before kickoff. While I didn't quite nail the exact scoreline, the dominance I foresaw from Liverpool certainly materialized.

From the opening minutes, something felt off about this Manchester City side. It was as if the Monstars from Space Jam had swooped in and stolen their powers, leaving behind a powerless shell of the usually dominant City team. The contrast between the two teams' recent form was stark - Liverpool riding high after comeback wins against Southampton and Real Madrid, while City were still reeling from throwing away a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord and that shocking 4-0 loss to Spurs.

The most telling sign of City's struggles? Their inability to do the one thing they're famous for - keeping possession. Instead, Liverpool were winning every second ball and launching devastating counterattacks into the acres of space City left behind. Within the first 15 minutes, Liverpool had created three clear chances, cutting through City's midfield and attack with just three passes each time. It felt like watching a Premier League team against League One opposition.

The breakthrough finally came through Cody Gakpo, and what a goal it was. Salah did brilliantly to receive the ball behind City's scattered defensive line, dribbling past defenders before laying off the simplest of passes for Gakpo to tap in at the far post. Kyle Walker, who's been showing signs of decline since that Arsenal game earlier this season, was caught sleeping as Gakpo snuck in behind him.

The statistics at the 20-minute mark told the story: City had just 35% possession, no shots on target, no big chances, and a measly 76% pass accuracy. It was almost admirable how they were already playing like a relegated side - they seemed to know their place today.

The first half ended 1-0, but it could easily have been three or four. Van Dijk was dominant in the air from corners, while City couldn't string together more than a few passes. Their only meaningful attempt came from Rico Lewis, and even that was more hopeful than threatening.

The second half saw City show some signs of life after introducing Doku and Savino. The game opened up, and City finally started to maintain some possession, even leading the possession stats 54-46 at one point. But Liverpool remained dangerous on the counter, with Salah missing a golden opportunity to put the game to bed.

The decisive moment came in the 76th minute when Ortega brought down Luis Diaz in the box. Salah, despite missing his last penalty against Real Madrid, stepped up and converted coolly to make it 2-0. Game over.

The most telling moment of the match came near the end, when Pep Guardiola - clearly rattled - started gesturing "six" to the Anfield crowd in response to their taunts. You know a manager's lost his composure when he starts engaging with opposition fans like that. Seven games without a win now for City - unthinkable for a team of their caliber.

For Liverpool, this was their 18th win in 20 games under Arne Slot. They're now nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, having dropped points only against Nottingham Forest and Arsenal. As for City? They looked washed, uninventive, and completely out of ideas. The title race might just have been decided on this Sunday evening at Anfield.

Some things you just can't script - like watching a Manchester City side look so thoroughly ordinary. But then again, that's why we love football, isn't it?