Manchester City Destroy Liverpool to Announce Their Title Intent

Haaland, Doku and González Shine as Guardiola’s Side Cut the Gap

Manchester City made their intentions crystal clear. While Arsenal stumbled at Sunderland, Pep Guardiola’s men roared back into the Premier League title race with a ruthless 3–0 demolition of Liverpool at the Etihad.

This was no ordinary win. It was a statement. City were sharper, faster and stronger. They played with the hunger of champions who have no plans to give up their crown. Liverpool, meanwhile, were left chasing shadows and questioning how their title defence has fallen apart so quickly.

City now sit just four points behind Arsenal, and after this display, it is hard to see them slowing down.

Early Drama and Relentless Pressure

The match began at full throttle. City could have taken the lead when Erling Haaland was awarded a soft penalty after minimal contact from Ibrahima Konaté, but Giorgi Mamardashvili saved the Norwegian’s effort. It did not matter. City kept coming.

Haaland eventually made amends, rising to meet a Matheus Nunes cross with a looping header that somehow found the far corner. It was his 19th goal of the season and the moment Liverpool began to unravel.

Pep Guardiola, celebrating his 1,000th game as a manager, watched his side play with breathtaking intensity. Jérémy Doku was electric, constantly tormenting defenders. Bernardo Silva and Nico González dominated midfield, dictating the tempo with poise and precision.

Liverpool Crumble Under the Pressure

Liverpool thought they had equalised when Virgil van Dijk headed in from a corner, only for VAR to intervene. Andy Robertson was ruled offside and obstructing Gianluigi Donnarumma’s view. It was the correct decision by the letter of the law, but it killed Liverpool’s momentum.

City punished them immediately. González’s shot took a wicked deflection off Van Dijk to make it 2–0 before half time. From there, it was all City.

Doku capped a sensational performance with a curling finish into the top corner for 3–0. The young Belgian was unplayable — a blur of speed, skill and confidence. When he left the pitch late on, he received a standing ovation from the home crowd.

City Back to Their Best

Arne Slot’s Liverpool looked tired, out of ideas and miles off the pace. Their fourth consecutive away league defeat leaves them eight points behind Arsenal and staring at a long winter.

City, on the other hand, look alive again. Their pressing was ferocious, their passing crisp and their focus absolute. This was Guardiola football in its purest form — ruthless, relentless, and ready to hunt down the leaders.

The title race is back on, and Manchester City have made sure everyone knows it.