Etihad Execution: City 3-0 Liverpool – Guardiola’s 1,000th Game Becomes Slot’s Nightmare
Published Date: 9th Nov, 2025
Manchester, England – November 9, 2025 – Manchester City delivered a clinical, rain-soaked masterclass to crush Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad, turning Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th managerial match into a title-statement demolition. Haaland, González, and Doku scored the goals, but the real story was total dominance: 68 % possession, 19 shots, and a Liverpool side that never landed a punch. The Reds’ fourth straight Premier League away defeat drops them to eighth; City leap to second, four points off leaders Arsenal.
First Half: City’s Press Breaks Liverpool’s Spine
The tone was set inside 30 seconds. City hunted in packs, Rodri and De Bruyne winning duels before Liverpool could breathe. The opener arrived on 29 minutes: Foden’s inswinging cross met Haaland’s forehead after Konaté lost his man—1-0. Mamardashvili had saved Haaland’s earlier penalty, but City simply recycled and punished.
Four minutes later, Doku cut inside Bradley and squared for González to tap in at the far post. 2-0 before the break. Liverpool’s midfield—Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai—was overrun; Salah touched the ball 11 times in the first half. None in City’s box.
Second Half: Doku’s Stunner, Van Dijk’s Ghost Goal
Liverpool pushed after the restart. Van Dijk powered a header home on 52 minutes—only for VAR to rule it out for a marginal offside on Núñez in the build-up. The Etihad exhaled; Liverpool deflated.
Doku ended the contest on 63 minutes. Picking up a Rodri pass on the right, he jinked inside Bradley, shifted the ball onto his left, and curled a 25-yarder into the top corner. 3-0. Game over. City eased off; Liverpool chased shadows.
By the Numbers
- Shots: City 19–5 Liverpool
- xG: City 2.8–0.4 Liverpool
- Passes in opp. half: City 412–118 Liverpool
- Duels won: Rodri 14, Mac Allister 3
Slot: “We Were Second Best in Every Department”
Arne Slot offered no excuses. “City were sharper, stronger, faster. We couldn’t handle their intensity. Credit to them—this is the level we must reach.” On the penalty save: “It gave us a lift, but we didn’t use it.”
Guardiola, soaked but smiling, praised his squad’s mentality. “1,000 games? I’m just grateful to coach these players. Today was complete.”
Fallout
- Liverpool: 8th, 18 pts (level with Man Utd). Next: Nottingham Forest (H), Nov 22.
- City: 2nd, 22 pts. Next: PSV (H), UCL, Nov 12.
- Haaland: 99 PL goals in 96 games. Century beckons.
- Doku: 1 goal, 1 assist, 6 dribbles completed—unplayable.
The title race just tilted sky blue.
Date: 9th Nov, 2025
