City at a stroll and ‘proud’ City made an impressive statement of intent with a 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, with goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki.
The victory also represented a first for Enzo Maresca, as he became only the fourth manager in the competition’s history to pick up six wins from his first six Premier League games in charge of a team.
The game had been more heated than usual ahead of kick-off, with Liverpool fans unfurling a banner that said: “A generation of supporters cheated”, angered by their rivals after finding City guilty of breaking most of the Premier League’s financial rules.
But they could not turn it up a gear in the first half, with few opportunities being carved out at either end.
Mac Allister tried to catch Donnarumma out with an overhead kick at the near post as it got away from him, while Donnarumma was relieved to see Victor Munoz’s attempt from range fly wide. There was little rhythm to City’s game, with City unable to create any opportunities for themselves. Rayan Cherki shot wide for City, while Alisson was comfortable in catching Enzo Fernandez’s long-range effort.
City Punish Liverpool After Red Card
Liverpool began the second period well, Donnarumma preserved his clean sheet with some important saves to keep out Lewis Koumas and Ryan Gravenberch, and Mac Allister was just off target from distance.
City also lost a huge chance when Haaland shot over from a cross from Antoine Semenyo.
The decisive moment came when Gravenberch was sent off with a second yellow card after a clash with Doku as Liverpool was left a man short.
City profited from it immediately as Doku’s deflected cross was turned in by Haaland, from close range.
Doku made it two six minutes later when he came in from the left and curled a top corner right-foot shot into the bottom corner.
Cherki added his second of the night in the 78th minute after deftly finishing past Alisson following a fine build-up involving Anderson and Gvardiol.
The win handed City an emphatic victory at Anfield, while it was Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola’s first defeat since taking over as manager.
Liverpool’s difficult start to the season at home rolled on as the Reds failed to win either of their first three home league games of a season for only the third time in this century.
