Liverpool took their opportunity to open up an incredible 11-point gap on Manchester City with a pulsating 2-0 victory over the reigning Premier League champions at Anfield. Goaded by chants of Youre getting sacked in the morning, Pep Guardiola responded to the Anfield crowd by highlighting Citys six Premier League titles under him.
But, in only the first week of December, it already appears that the champions are as good as out of this seasons race, having lost four consecutive league games for the first time since 2008. I dont think there is any way back for Man City now, concluded Sky Sports Jamie Carragher at the final whistle.
This season, Man City will not win the Premier League. Its a mini-crisis. I actually think City might have a fight on their hands for top four. How Liverpool knocked City out of title raceSo often one of the fixture calendars marquee occasions, this latest instalment between two fierce title rivals didnt disappoint, with Liverpool racing into an early lead through Cody Gakpo.
It could so easily have been worse for ragged City, whose crisis is deepening by the week, as Virgil van Dijk planted a free header against the post and Stefan Ortega – chosen ahead of Ederson – rebuffed a pair of Dominik Szoboszlai efforts.
As it happened | Teams | Match statsCan Liverpool be caught? Neville assesses Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City hopesLive Premier League table | Watch free PL highlightsStream the Premier League with NOW Liverpool were purring, better in every department than their struggling visitors.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was next to graze Ortegas right-hand post, while the slickness of his passing was causing chaos for Citys Rodri-less midfield. And with suggestions Citys legs have gone persisting, the second period only got worse.
Arne Slots side were piercing with every fast-paced attack, as Gakpo nearly had a second when released by a wonderful Andy Robertson pass, only for Matheus Nunes to make a superb recovery tackle. Salah let City off the hook moments later after a horrible mix-up between Bernardo Silva and Manuel Akanji, screwing wide when one-on-one with Ortega, but the Egyptian is rarely denied.
The day firmly belonged to Liverpool, and Salah made sure of that by thumping a confident penalty beyond Ortega – who had wiped out Luis Diaz to concede the spot kick – to cap another fine display. Citys title defence appears all but over.
Slot: We came close to perfection Liverpool boss Arne Slot: Yeah [it was almost a perfect match], and if you look at work-rate I think it was perfect. The amount of chances we miss made it tight at the end.
But maybe thats nice for matches like this. It should be like this. But it would have been nicer to score the second goal earlier. We always press high but theyre so good at build-up. So you have to work very hard.
Our players had energy. Were a compatible team and its difficult to beat us. But also we have to put the effort in. Next week is another big week against Newcastle and Everton. I dont think anyone, including me would have predicted this [start].
I knew Jurgen [Klopp] left the team in a good place, but still, against all the teams we have played. We have to stay sharp and focused. Guardiola: Maybe I deserve the sackPep Guardiolas response to chants about being sacked: Listen, Im so proud for my six Premier Leagues, Im so sorry.
I didnt expect Anfield at 0-2 to chant about (being) sacked, maybe I deserve to be sacked, honestly. With the results maybe Im still in a job because we won six Premier Leagues, a lot of titles, otherwise the hierarchy maybe think this doesnt work.
But I didnt expect for them to sing. Its fine, its part of the game. When you win you laugh, when you lose they laugh. You have to accept. The time with Jurgen [Klopp] was incredible for me and the battles with Liverpool.
Now this will be difficult to repeat but all of us will reflect and try to come strong. Story of the match in stats… Whats coming up in the Premier League?Liverpool fixturesMan City fixturesPremier League fixtures
