Liverpool’s early kickoff woes this season continued as Manchester City maintained the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal with a magnificent display at Etihad Stadium.
Moments after the game, Manchester City made a statement condemning an attack on Liverpool’s team bus as it made its way home.
Despite goal king Haaland being ruled out with a groin injury, Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions demonstrated their all-round strength by coming from a goal down against a lacklustre Liverpool side to run out convincing 4-1 winners.
Liverpool opened the scoring with a counter-attack after 17 minutes with Diogo Jota making the break before Mohamed Salah applied a thumping finish.
City responded in devastating fashion with the outstanding Jack Grealish, who made a crucial intervention on Salah when Liverpool had the chance to double their lead, crossing for Julian Alvarez to equalise after 27 minutes.
The Argentine forward then turned creator as City went ahead less than a minute after the break as his pass found Riyad Mahrez, who crossed for Kevin de Bruyne to slide home from close range.
The Cityzens were in total control as Ilkay Gundogan added the third after a goalmouth skirmish.
Grealish’s performance deserved a goal and it duly arrived in the 74th minute when he timed his arrival perfectly to turn in De Bruyne’s cross as Liverpool got humbled.
The Englishman has now had seven goal contributions against Liverpool – his favourite opponents in the Premier League.