Cody Gakpo’s second Premier League goal of the season opened the scoring as Liverpool dominated the early stages at home to reigning champions Manchester City on Sunday – and former Manchester United captain Gary Neville described the Cityzens as “absolutely beat”.
Netherlands international Gakpo tapped in at the far post from Mohamed Salah’s precise pass across goal as the near-unthinkable prospect of a fifth consecutive domestic defeat for City loomed larger at Anfield.
“Blood is being smelt,” ex-England international Gary Neville told Sky Sports after Gakpo converted in the 12th minute of a game the Reds had only won on one of the previous nine occasions in the league.
“City look absolutely beat. That was unbelievable from Mo Salah.”
The pass from Mo Salah 🤩
The finish from Cody Gakpo 🔥Liverpool take the lead against Manchester City 😤 pic.twitter.com/j7tqHAefdf
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 1, 2024
📰 Table Of Contents
Liverpool vs City latest
City started poorly in a contest between the two dominant forces in English football over the last seven years, initially almost falling behind when Virgil van Dijk sent a header against the woodwork.
Pep Guardiola dropped established first-choice goalkeeper Ederson for Stefan Ortega but it was not long before the German was beaten as part of an intense start by the hosts.
Liverpool resembled a team starting eight points above City after a run of 14 wins and one draw in their last 15 games in all competitions.
Arsenal’s 5-2 win at West Ham on Saturday and Chelsea’s 3-0 victory at home to Aston Villa earlier on Sunday left City two points behind Liverpool’s two nearest rivals at kick-off, level with Brighton & Hove Albion.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 1, 2024
Man City ‘static’ vs Liverpool
“This is men against boys,” Neville said as City struggled to produce an attempt at goal. “This game should be out of sight.
“City have no real way of getting in behind. They are playing around Liverpool – they are static.”
City are looking to become champions for a fifth consecutive season, with only the Liverpool team of 2019/20 stopping them from having won the title in each of the last seven campaigns.
Rico Lewis went closest for City with an attempt that fell narrowly wide, although the restored Trent Alexander-Arnold grazed a post for Liverpool with a powerful low shot.
