In a somewhat unexpected follow-up to securing their first Premier League title, Liverpool suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad.
This was arguably the side’s worst performance under Jurgen Klopp in years. Clearly, he felt so as he was seen storming the sideline until he realized things had unravelled beyond repair.
Anyone watching the opening, aggressive start might not have foreseen the scoreline. After an early offside call on Gabriel Jesus, Liverpool looked likely to go ahead.
After another excellent ball-over-the-top, Mo Salah saw his shot saved by Ederson and Roberto Firmino failed to finish the rebound as he scuffed his strike at goal.
Not long after, Salah sent a shot past City’s keeper but it cannoned off the far post. In the first 25 minutes, the Reds were possibly the better side.
Then Joe Gomez felled Raheem Sterling for a penalty.
Once Kevin DeBruyne scored from the spot, City surged, regaining the kind of form that can make them unplayable. Liverpool failed to take their early chances and paid a price as the home side were clinical.
Before the break, Sterling finally broke through against his former club, and Phil Foden finished a first-class sequence of play to put the Reds down 3-0.
While Liverpool restarted with some increased resolve, it was not enough to overcome the indifference that crept in after surrendering the first goal.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain eventually redirected a wide shot in for an own goal for the fourth, which kind of summed up the night.
Here are four findings from the match.
