Pep Guardiola celebrated his 1000th career game in the dugout with a statement victory, as Manchester City dismantled Liverpool in a one-sided Premier League showdown. The hosts produced a ruthless 3–0 win that reaffirmed their attacking supremacy and narrowed the gap on league leaders Arsenal.

This fixture was billed as a true test: could Manchester City reignite their title charge, and had Liverpool truly regained their spark after the Champions League triumph over Real Madrid? For fans of the Reds, the answer was painfully clear — not yet.

Guardiola’s men delivered a performance reminiscent of vintage City. Liverpool, under Arne Slot, now seem to be following a worrying trend: four consecutive defeats, a brief recovery against Aston Villa, and now another humbling at the Etihad Stadium. Their early-season promise is fading fast.

The tone was set early. Despite Erling Haaland missing a 13th-minute penalty after a fine save from Giorgi Mamardashvili, City never looked rattled. They struck twice before half-time, completely stifling Liverpool’s rhythm and confidence. The Reds’ attempts to mount a comeback after the interval quickly fizzled out, and on 63 minutes, Jérémy Doku curled in a stunning finish to seal the 3–0 victory.

2025-26, England - Premier League

Manchester City - Liverpool 3:0 (2:0)
Goals: Håland E., 29 (1:0); Nico González, 45 (2:0); Doku J., 63 (3:0)

Manchester City: Donnarumma G.; Gvardiol; Dias R.; Matheus Nunes; Nico González; Bernardo Silva; Foden; Cherki (Sávio Moreira, 53); O'Reilly; Håland E.; Doku J. (Marmoush, 73)
Substitution: Sávio Moreira (from 53); Marmoush (from 73)
Bench: Trafford; Lewis R.; Aït-Nouri; Stones; Ake; Reijnders; Bobb
Yellow Cards: Nico González 27; Bernardo Silva 41

Liverpool: Mamardashvili; van Dijk; Konate; Robertson A. (Kerkez M., 56); Gravenberch R.; Wirtz (Chiesa F., 83); Szoboszlai; Mac Allister A. (Jones Cur., 73); Bradley C. (Gomez, 83); Salah; Ekitike (Gakpo, 56)
Substitution: Kerkez M. (from 56); Gakpo (from 56); Jones Cur. (from 73); Gomez (from 83); Chiesa F. (from 83)
Bench: Woodman; Endo W.; Ngumoha; Isak
Yellow Cards: Mac Allister A. 36; Bradley C. 52; Jones Cur. 89; Szoboszlai 91