Liverpool secured an important 2-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield, moving them nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah were the heroes, each finding the net to ensure the home side claimed all three points.
The game started at a frantic pace, with Liverpool taking the initiative immediately.
The Reds almost broke the deadlock in the 11th minute when Virgil van Dijk’s powerful header from a corner rattled the post.
However, it didn’t take long for Liverpool to capitalize on their dominance. Just a minute later, a stunning move down the right saw Trent Alexander-Arnold thread a pinpoint pass to Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian, instead of shooting, unselfishly passed the ball to Cody Gakpo, who slotted home from close range to give Liverpool an early 1-0 lead.
GET IN THERE!!!!! 🤩🔴 #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/NEhKA1wIhb
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 1, 2024
Manchester City, sluggish in the first half, struggled to find their rhythm.
Pep Guardiola’s side were limited to speculative efforts, with a rare chance falling to Rico Lewis in the 39th minute, but his shot went wide.
The Reds went into the break with a deserved lead, having outplayed their visitors in almost every department.
Guardiola made adjustments at the break, introducing fresh legs in Jeremy Docu and Savinho to inject pace and creativity into City’s attack.
The visitors saw more of the ball but lacked the edge to really test Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 1, 2024
The turning point came in the 77th minute when Darwin Nunez, a recent substitute, forced the City defense into a mistake.
Manuel Akanji’s weak header towards goalkeeper Stefan Ortega allowed Luis DÃaz to tap over.
Ortega’s desperate run sent Diaz into the box, leaving the referee no choice but to point.
Salah stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, doubling Liverpool’s advantage and securing victory.
Tempers flared late in the game as Salah and Bernardo Silva exchanged words after a controversial challenge, but the situation was quickly defused.
Manchester City’s frustration was compounded when substitute Kevin De Bruyne was denied by Kelleher’s superb double save in the 83rd minute.
