In the most important match of the Premier League season so far, Liverpool dominated title defenders Manchester City 3-1 at Anfield.
Referee Michael Oliver emphatically waived off all City handball appeals before Liverpool’s lightning counter-strike led to Fabinho’s opening goal. For all the controversy, the ball ricocheted off the arm of City’s Bernardo Silva prior to it hitting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s arm, nullifying any good that might have favoured the visitors.
Yet the pace of the break and the quality of the strike were devastating.
Minutes later, Alexander-Arnold’s fading ball across the entire pitch, directly into the path of Andrew Robertson was whipped behind the defense for Mo Salah to head home.
Despite a slow start, the Reds were up 2-0, sending Anfield alight within the first 15 minutes. Heading into half-time, the home side completely wrestled the run of play away from City and were well on top.
Just after the break, Jordan Henderson cleverly broke to the byline before lashing a cross over City’s keeper Claudio Bravo to the far post where Sadio Mane headed in a third goal.
Inside an hour, Liverpool effectively ended the contest. The Reds do not lose at home anymore, and they have never lost when leading by two-plus goals.
Eventually, Bernardo Silva clawed a consolation near the end but it was a meaningless goal. Even though the Merseysiders started to drop deeper and look a bit leggy, there was no coming back.
Here are four findings from the match.
