Five Things Learned: Manchester City 4-1 Liverpool (Premier League)

It was another emphatic victory at the Etihad Stadium for Manchester City, as Pep Guardiola’s side demoralised Liverpool in a staggering 4-1 victory.

The Premier League champions are firing on all cylinders at the moment, scoring 17 goals in their last three games either side of the international break, conceding just one in the process. Liverpool were the latest side to have their fate sealed by Manchester City, as the Jurgen Klopp’s visiting side were shredded apart in every sense of the word.

Despite the emphatic scoreline, it was Liverpool who took the lead in the first-half, with Mohammed Salah capitalising on a loose ball in the City penalty area, finishing in typically clinical fashion. This only motivated the hosts however, who equalised just 10 minutes later after a brilliant team move finished by Julian Alvarez.

It remained level at the break, despite the tempo of the play being dictated and controlled by Manchester City, who looked the more likely side to take the lead. This proved to be the case a mere minute after the interval, as who else but Kevin De Bruyne found himself on the end of a Riyad Mahrez cross to give the home side the lead.

Good chances were few and far between in the first half, which completely contrasted the pattern of play in the second. City had Liverpool on the ropes and switched on the style, pummelling the Liverpool defence who were desperate for any kind of respite, but to no avail.

Ilkay Gundogan would be in the right place at the right time to sink Liverpool – a story we’ve all seen before. The Club captain would add City’s third just seven minutes after the Kevin De Bruyne’s finish, putting the Blues firmly in the driving seat.

The chances didn’t stop there, as City persisted with their approach, maintaining pressure whilst limiting Liverpool to any kind of joy going forward. The fourth and final goal was a lovely finish by Man of the Match Jack Grealish – who had arguably his best game in a City shirt.

Grealish had a mixed start to the season, showing visible signs of improvement despite not increasing his numbers in a blue shirt. However, particularly since the World Cup, he has excelled and is reaching levels we became accustomed to seeing prior to his move to Manchester in the summer of 2021.

It was a successful day at the office as far as Manchester City were concerned, and here are Five Things We Learned from Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Liverpool!

Super Jacky Grealish!

The England international is certainly in the best form of his Manchester City career so far, personified by the performance on Saturday.

Jack Grealish started his flurry of important contributions with a vital interception inside his own penalty area with the score 0-1 to Liverpool, denying an almost certain second goal for the away side.

This came just minutes before he would then set up Julian Alvarez for the City’s equaliser, as the Etihad Stadium erupted with chants of the winger’s name. Jack Grealish continued gito give Trent Alexander-Arnold a torrid afternoon, in typically unrelenting fashion.

Grealish has a visibly exuberating amount of confidence at the moment, and is playing at the highest level, demonstrated by the clinical nature of the chance in which he finished in the second half. The England international has certainly earned his flowers in recent months, as manager and teammates have been vocal about the improvement of Jack Grealish this season.

Pep edges Klopp… again.

Guardiola and Klopp are two undeniably brilliant managers, who have treated fans to some of the most incredible jousting matches in their era. The two sides have won the last five Premier League trophies, with Manchester City picking up four.

Not only have the two sides been domestically dominant, but they have also propelled the Premier League forward and set unprecedented standards, with results matching the breath-taking football on display.

It is Pep Guardiola though who does seem to have the bragging rights over Jurgen Klopp, pipping the German’s side to the Premier League title on the final day of the season on two occasions. The 4-1 drubbing this weekend wasn’t the first time we’ve seen this Liverpool side blown away at this stadium, however.

The Merseyside club have been on the brunt end of respective 4-1 and 5-0 defeats in the past, which is why it’s no wonder Jurgen Klopp thanked Manchester City for taking an easy approach in his post-match interview.

A different side without Erling Haaland

Life before Erling Haaland seems like a blur now, with the Norwegian declaring his presence from the very get go this season. However, in times like the present where City are without him, it’s important to remember that they are certainly far from lacking in attack.

The shift in style with the introduction of Erling Haaland was visible, but that wasn’t just because he is an out-and-out number 9, as that role was occupied successfully by Julian Alvarez on Saturday. The Argentine has an entirely different style of play to his striking counterpart, but as alluded to by Jurgen Klopp, it doesn’t make Manchester City a weaker side.

Haaland is a presence in the box in comparison to the nimble and crafty Julian Alvarez. Whichever striker occupies the role, City fans can rest assured they are in safe hands, with two perfectly capable strikers in their arsenal – something not seen since the departure of Sergio Aguero in May 2021.

A performance of true champions

A clash between last season’s first and second placed teams always promises to be entertaining one way or another. The quality on show from both sides certainly gives an eye-catching feel to the game, but the promise of possibilities didn’t start and end before the contest began.

Manchester City delivered, putting Liverpool to the sword and sat comfortably on their throne of champions. The quality on display was nothing short of mesmerising, having firm control of the game throughout.

The home side regained bragging rights over Liverpool, following an away defeat in October. Ultimately, the better side emerged victorious on Saturday, as Manchester City reinstated the fact that they are the current Premier League champions.

The fire in the belly is there!

Three games, three competitions, 17 goals, one conceded – the Etihad Stadium has been spoilt in recent weeks. After the mauling of RB Leipzig and Burnley, the momentum carried through as City served Liverpool the same punishment administered to those two sides.

Pep Guardiola’s side now look full of confidence, simultaneously winning in style. The team fluidity is there in abundance, coming at the right time with it all to play for as we enter the last three crucial months of the season.

The Manchester City boss will not be getting carried away, as the Catalan coach is certainly intelligent enough to take things one game at a time. However, with the recent quality we have seen displayed, it will certainly take some doing to stop this electric City side.