Manchester: Manchester City generously applauded new champions Liverpool onto the field before their Premier League match Thursday. However, that was the last time the Liverpool players smiled. Then Manchester City showed no mercy and hammered them 4-0 at the Etihad stadium.
With the title secured a week ago, there was little at stake for Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool side. They were far from their usual levels of intensity. The loss was just their second of the league campaign. However, it was an emphatic reminder that Manchester City will be desperate to regain their crown next season.
Klopp defends team
Klopp was quick to defend his team’s attitude, rejecting any suggestion they had taken the game lightly. “I saw a brilliant attitude. I saw fight. We didn’t behave like somebody who became champions a week ago. We lacked fluidity. And in some 50-50 situations they were quicker than us,” he said. Man City are incredible. I saw their season, they didn’t play a bad game even when they lost,” the German added.
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The visitors started brightly and Ederson had to be alert to keep out a fourth-minute effort from Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian then struck the post after a clever pass from Roberto Firmino. However, if Liverpool thought they were in for another night of festivities, they were in for a rude awakening.
Goal spree
Joe Gomez could not cope with Raheem Sterling’s twisting and turning in the box. He pulled Sterling to the ground giving away a penalty which Kevin De Bruyne converted in the 25th minute. Sterling doubled the lead 10 minutes later. It was a swift counter-attack. Phil Foden found him inside the box and the ex-Liverpool forward cut inside Gomez and slid the ball home. The 20-year-old Foden made it 3-0, firing past Alisson after a swift exchange with De Bruyne.
Manchester City were showing an unusual willingness to play long balls. However, for once Rodri launched a pass deep to De Bruyne. The Belgian found Sterling inside the box and he slipped the ball goalwards. Substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s tried to hook the vall away from goal. However, his outstretched touch only turned the ball into his own net and it was 4-0.
It could have been even worse for Liverpool with Riyad Mahrez’s fine solo effort in the final moments. However, VAR spotted a handball by Foden in the build-up.
Guardioal happy
“We beat the champions, an extraordinary team,” Man City manager Pep Guardiola said. “We tried to play football, take risks against the best team I have ever faced in my life at high pressing. “They drank a lot of beers this week but they arrived here with no beers in their blood. That is why I give us a lot of credit,” he added.
The loss was the joint-heaviest defeat by a side already crowned Premier League champions. Arsenal were beaten 0-4 at Liverpool in 1997-98 in the game after they clinched the title.