Jeremy Doku starred with a goal and an assist as Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0, celebrating Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th match in charge in style.
Manchester City delivered one of their most dominant performances of the season with a commanding 3-0 win over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
The result marked Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th game as a manager and moved City to within four points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and Jeremy Doku were all on target as City showcased their attacking power and tactical precision.
Man City started brightly, quickly overwhelming Liverpool with pace out wide, quick transitions, and control.
Doku set the tone early, earning a penalty after being brought down by Giorgi Mamardashvili in the ninth minute.
The goalkeeper redeemed himself by saving Haaland’s effort, but City’s No. 9 would not be denied for long.
After 29 minutes, Matheus Nunes whipped in a cross from the right, and Haaland rose high above Ibrahima Konate to head home his 99th Premier League goal.
It was a fitting response from the Norwegian, who continues to torment Premier League defenses with his aerial power and movement.
Liverpool thought they had equalized just before half-time when Virgil van Dijk’s header found the net from a Mohamed Salah corner.
However, the celebrations were short-lived as VAR confirmed Andy Robertson was in an offside position, obstructing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Minutes later, City struck again. In first-half stoppage time, Nico Gonzalez’s 20-yard drive took a heavy deflection off Van Dijk and wrong-footed Mamardashvili, giving the champions a two-goal cushion at the break.
The second half belonged to Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger tormented Liverpool’s right-back Conor Bradley with relentless dribbles and explosive runs.
Just past the hour mark, Doku capped his performance with a curling finish into the top-right corner from 20 yards after cutting inside Konate.
It was a breathtaking goal that sealed the win for Pep Guardiola’s side. The 23-year-old completed seven successful dribbles and created four chances, leading City’s relentless attacking play.
City outshot Liverpool 14 to 7 and had an expected goals (xG) of 1.51 to Liverpool’s 0.61. Tellingly, Liverpool only registered one shot on target for the entire game.
Haaland’s header, Gonzalez’s deflected strike, and Doku’s wonder goal were all highlights of a clinical display.
Donnarumma made two key saves, including one from Dominik Szoboszlai, while Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden pulled the strings in midfield.
Liverpool’s best moment came through Cody Gakpo, who missed from close range early in the second half.
Arne Slot’s side have now lost five league matches and remain eight points behind Arsenal.
Manchester City return to action after the international break with a trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on November 22nd. Pep Guardiola will hope to build on the momentum as City chase Arsenal at the top. City will then take on Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on November 25th.
Liverpool, meanwhile, host Nottingham Forest at Anfield on November 22ndin search of a much-needed response after another humbling defeat. The Reds will then host PSV in the Champions League on November 26th.
