Manchester City’s formation and starting XI
Pep Guardiola set his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation for this encounter with Ederson starting alongside Stones, Akanji, Ruben Dias, Ake, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Mahrez, De Bruyne, Grealish and Alvarez.
Liverpool’s formation and starting lineup
For Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp went for a customary 4-3-3 formation with Allison starting alongside Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson, Salah, Cody Gakpo and Diego Jota.
The Cityzens got the game underway and off-we-go it was an intense battle between both sides, keenly contested but Manchester City got the larger share of the possession.
Manchester City began pushing to open the deadlock but Liverpool fired the first Salvo via a goal from Mohammed Salah.
Jota did the massive work after he was found by Arnold through a long ball, he touched it into an area in the box where Akanji couldn’t get to.
Before Salah pounced to put Liverpool in front, Mohammed Salah was booked 2 minutes later in the 19th minute for dissent.
The game continued in a very competitive manner with both sides getting lots of clear chances to punish the opposition.
Alvarez equalized for Manchester City in the 27th minute after Jack Grealish played a low cross in the box instantaneously with Julian Alvarez being at the right place and at the right time to bury the chance offered to him past Allison.
Rodri was yellow-carded in the 33rd minute for a foul on Jota.
Late on in the first half, Manchester City got a big chance as Manchester City had a corner that was put into the area by Riyad Mahrez.
He found Rodri in the box who was unmarked and the midfielder fired a volley but it hits the back of Manuel Akanji and bounces out.
It finished level pegging in the first half with both sides putting all their might on the line, but Manchester City had the better of the chances and controlled the game more.
Second half commenced and Manchester City wasted no time in getting the third game in the game and the second goal for the Cityzens to move clear of Liverpool.
De Bruyne finished nicely after a wonderful ball was played into the area, Allison got a finger to it but he couldn’t stop it from reaching the Belgian.
Manchester City rolled over Liverpool in the second half
Manchester City completely dominated the second half dictating the direction the game would go and in the 53rd minute, Ilkay Gundogan pierced the hearts of Liverpool fans scoring City’s third.
Liverpool brought on Tsimikas to replace Robertson in the 70th minute alongside three other substitutions. Firmino came on for Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez was brought on for Mohammed Salah and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced Harvey Elloit.
Jurgen Klopp threw everything into the kitchen sink to have a fight against Manchester City but 4 minutes after his substitutions the home responded again with a goal.
Jack Grealish scored after a ball from De Bruyne located him, De Bruyne dragged Konate out of position and played a nice ball to him.
The side from Meseyside made one more substitution bringing in James Milner for Cody Gakpo probably with the intention of locking shop after an embarrassing afternoon.
In the 83 minute, Bernardo Silva replaced Rodri and youngster Cole Palmer came on for Jack Grealish with City looking directly at victory.
It finished at the Etihad 4-1, Manchester City victorious against Liverpool once again like they did in the EFL Cup last December.
Despite the unavailability of Erling Haaland for this encounter, Manchester City were still ruthless in front of goal.
Liverpool’s abysmal season continues, they need to help themselves from sinking into the ocean quickly and fast
For Manchester City they moved closer to Arsenal on the Premier League table as they have now cut the Gunners lead to just 5 points pending when Arsenal play and the outcome of the encounter.
Match Highlights Below:
