Manchester City showcased why they are Premier League champions after running out 4-1 winners over Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s men currently find themselves in an unfamiliar pursuit mode with Arsenal boasting a five-point lead before their meeting with Leeds United which follows this game.
Despite missing the scintillating Erling Haaland this was another statement performance with the likes of Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez in particular all stepping up.
Pep Guardiola has won his 100th Premier League game in charge of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in his 128th game.
He becomes the fastest manager to reach a century of victories at a single venue, overtaking Arsene Wenger (139 games at Highbury). ? pic.twitter.com/Tg8IsbV6e7
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 1, 2023
As for the Reds, it proved to be another miserable away day, hopes of reaching next season’s Champions League group stage hangs in the balance.
Here’s how the players rated at the Etihad Stadium:
Man City
Ederson – 6.5 – Started the game nervously and there was nothing he could do to deny Salah from putting Liverpool a goal ahead. After that he didn’t really have that much to do in terms of keeping the visitors at bay.
John Stones – 7 – Joted down as City’s right-back but given their excellent positional game the England international often popped up in central midfield where his acute passing was appreciated.
Rúben Dias – 7 – City is far more defensively resolute with him in the side. Dias lead their rearguard well this afternoon without needing to go all hammer and tongs.
Manuel Akanji – 7 – Crucially played Jota onside which led to Liverpool’s opener. From then onward the Swiss centre-back reverted to type. It was another strong outing for the ex-Dortmund man.
Nathan Aké – 8 – You can make the argument he’s been City’s most improved player this season. Ake was tasked with keeping tabs on Salah and that mission was successfully accomplished.
Ilkay Gundogan – 7.5 – The perennial modern ‘number eight’. Klopp treasured what time he spent with Gundogan at Dortmund and would in a different life appreciated his willingness to make those late runs into the penalty area. Gundogan was at the right place at the right time to stretch City’s lead.
Rodri – 7.5 – Another measured performance in City’s midfield. Rodri effortlessly retained and recycled possession as Pep Guardiola’s men enjoyed large swathes of the game.
Riyad Mahrez – 8 – Came agonisingly close to putting City in front through an early first-half freekick. Had another rasping effort that went over Alisson’s crossbar soon after the hosts went behind. Mahrez put that behind him when his cross met De Bruyne for City’s go-ahead goal.
Jack Grealish's game by numbers vs Liverpool:
100% take-ons complete (2/2)
73 touches
6 duels won
4 fouls won
3 shots
3 shots on target
1 chance created
1 assist
1 goal
0.49 xGHis best performance in a City shirt? ? pic.twitter.com/z3O1Uzewk2
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) April 1, 2023
Kevin De Bruyne – 9 – Played a lot further up the field as expected. This proved a masterstroke when he put City in front seconds after the half-time interval. Aside from his attacking return De Bruyne was his metronomic best often finding those around him with clever passes.
Jack Grealish – 9.5 – In the span of minutes Grealish showcased his importance to Guardiola’s side. He first chased down a goal-bearing Salah before providing an exquisite square pass for Alvarez’s equaliser. Grealish’s innate ability to draw fouls while carrying the ball makes him an indispensable asset.
Rounded off an excellent performance with a well-deserved goal. This outstanding performance was all the more remarkable given what the former Villa midfielder went through before kick-off.
“I was in the toilet! I felt sick all morning but I feel alright now,” he told BT Sport after the game.
“It was a brilliant performance. We knew it was going to be a tough game against Liverpool. We wanted to start this last period of the season right. We responded brilliantly to going behind and we were excellent in the second half.
Julian Alvarez – 8.5 – Making a rare Premier League start in Erling Haaland’s absence. His equaliser was straight from the Norwegian’s playbook. A cool finish after putting himself in the right place. Aside from that goal he was heavily involved as City pulled ahead of a sorry Liverpool team.
Substitutes:
Bernardo Silva (for Rodri 83) – N/A – A late sub.
Cole Palmer (for Grealish 89) – N/A – A late sub.
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Liverpool
Alisson – 4.5 – Caught at sea for De Bruyne’s goal. Arguably his side’s best-performing player this season but that’s not saying much given what a wretched campaign Klopp’s men are enduring.
Andrew Robertson – 4 – Normally marauding down the left flank this was a more subdued outing for the Scottish full-back who made some key blocks.
Virgil van Dijk – 5 – Came in for some recent scathing criticism while on international duty, it’s fair to say Van Dijk is seldom playing at his optimum best.
King of the road ? pic.twitter.com/PpWB05eY3g
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 1, 2023
Ibrahima Konaté – 4.5 – Though he did nothing egregious today Konate was simply overwhelmed and powerless.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 5 – Enjoyed a fascinating battle with England teammate Grealish which he often came out second best. His blocked effort to deny Alvarez, unfortunately, fell to Gundogan who put City 3-1 ahead.
Harvey Elliott – 4 – A consistent presence in Liverpool’s team of late but the youngster struggled once City took firm control in the middle third.
Jordan Henderson – 5 – Wasn’t particularly spectacular, but that’s never been Henderson’s forte, instead, the midfielder needed to bring every ounce of his experience as City began to overwhelm Klopp’s side.
Fabinho – 5 – Was fortunate not to go into Simon Hooper’s book early into the game after bringing down Gundogan and Grealish in quick succession.
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Cody Gakpo – 5 – Played in the ‘false nine’ role but was often isolated so much so you never knew he was playing. When the Dutchman did get a rare touch he could have easily been cautioned for simulation.
Diogo Jota – 5.5 – His well-timed run from an excellent Alexander-Arnold pass ultimately led to Liverpool’s opener. Aside from that moment Jota struggled to impose himself on this game.
Mohamed Salah – 6 – Put the visitors in front against the run of play with a smart finish subsequently becoming the first Premier League player to score in four different games against the same opponent in a single campaign since Romelu Lukaku against West Ham in 2014/15.
Substitutes:
Konstantinos Tsimikas (for Robertson 70) – N/A – A late sub.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (for Ellitot 70) – N/A – A late sub.
Roberto Firmino (for Jota 70) – N/A – A late sub.
Darwin Núñez (for Salah 70) – N/A – A late sub.
James Milner (for Gakpo 82) – N/A – A late sub.