With all eyes falling on Anfield on Sunday afternoon, Liverpool laid down one other heavyweight marker as they stormed their option to a 2-0 victory in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.
Getting off to a dream begin and backed by a vocal dwelling help within the purple half of Merseyside, Arne Slot’s aspect took an early lead within the first 12 minuets as Cody Gakpo tapped dwelling from shut vary.
Whereas the defending champions would possibly requested extra questions right here, the Sky Blues had been closely outplayed and watched their title goals take what might be a essential blow at Anfield.
With Liverpool solely additional underlining their exceptional rise beneath the previous Feyenoord boss, it was attacking talisman Mohamed Salah who wrapped up all three factors right here as they Egyptian icon powered dwelling from the penalty spot.
Storming previous their historic rivals right here, Slot’s aspect now maintain a commanding nine-point buffer over the chasing pack and it’s laborious to argue that they aren’t a landslide title contender this season.
As for Manchester Metropolis, on the coronary heart of what has shortly turn into a record-breaking collapse, the Sky Blues have now didn’t win any of their final seven appearances throughout all competitions and have put only a single level on the board for the reason that finish of October.
On a day when Liverpool collected one other well-known scalp at Anfield, we’ve taken a have a look at the important thing speaking factors.
There is no such thing as a stopping Liverpool
Though many round Anfield may need been heartbroken over the summer season as they waved off Jurgen Klopp, the Reds have loved what has turn into a well-known rise beneath the steering of Slot.
Extending on their 100% Champions League report earlier within the month as they collected one other 2-0 win in opposition to defending European champions Actual Madrid, Sunday’s hosts are firing on all cylinders.
Gathering one other well-known scalp right here and lengthening their buffer on the high of the desk to 9 factors, the temper round Anfield is at a red-hot excessive and Liverpool might be seeking to full an iconic European and home sweep.
Struggling only a single defeat from any of their first 20 appearances throughout all competitions, Slot’s runaway leaders have rightfully acquired a number of reward from throughout the globe.
Gaining a fame for his or her dominance at each ends of the pitch and now successful all of their earlier seven showdowns throughout all competitions, the previous Feyenoord boss will likely be searching for one other dominant show on Wednesday night time when his squad journey to Newcastle.
Metropolis’s disaster continues
Turning into the primary membership in Premier League historical past final season as they claimed 4 consecutive home titles, Manchester Metropolis gave the impression to be sat within the driving seat to shatter extra data this time round.
Nonetheless, regardless of signing off October within the midst of one more stellar purple patch, Pep Guardiola’s males have come crashing again right down to earth in what has been an notorious trend.
Struggling a exceptional last-gasp Champions League collapse earlier within the week as they ultimately needed to accept a 3-3 stalemate in opposition to Dutch outfit Feyenoord, Man Metropolis discover themselves on the coronary heart of a public disaster.
Marking their return from November’s worldwide break with a 4-0 drumming at dwelling in opposition to Tottenham, the previous Borussia Dortmund boss has seen his squad put only a single level on the board over the previous six weeks.
Largely outplayed right here, the reigning Premier League champions now sit approach down in fifth and it seems that they may have an actual problem on their arms within the race to even secured a top-four end this season.
Gakpo underlines his significance
Whereas Salah may need continued on one other Premier League romp this season amidst ongoing drama over a possible contract extension, he isn’t the one attacking celebrity that’s spearheading Liverpool’s title cost.
Though some may need questioned what Gakpo’s position could be in Slot’s new-look squad following the Dutchman’s arrival over the summer season, the previous PSV starlet has solely additional underlined his significance at Anfield.
Sweeping dwelling from shut vary within the opening 12 minutes and doing a stellar job of main the road in a false 9 position, the Holland worldwide has acquired an enormous quantity of reward from Slot.
Having fun with what has been a sensational week within the purple half of Merseyside after getting on the scoresheet in opposition to Actual Madrid earlier within the week, Gakpo has actually discovered a significant scientific contact over the previous six weeks.
Together with discovering the online in opposition to Hungary whereas away with the Netherlands throughout November’s worldwide break, the 25-year-old has now scored seven targets in his final 9 outings for membership and nation.
Match Report
Liverpool: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Gakpo, Salah
Subs: Jones, Quansah, Nunez, Elliot
Manchester Metropolis: Ortega, Walker, Dias, Akanji, Ake, Lewis, Gundogan, Nunes, Foden, Silva, Haaland
Subs: De Bruyne, Grealish, Doku, Savinho
Objectives: Gakpo (12’), Salah (78’ P)
Yellow Playing cards: Liverpool: Gravenberch – Manchester Metropolis: Nunes, Foden, Akanji
Crimson Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Chris Kavanagh