Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points, compounding Manchester City’s struggles with a 2-0 victory at Anfield on Sunday.
The win marked Liverpool’s 18th triumph in 20 matches under Arne Slot, driven by Cody Gakpo’s early strike and Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty.
Man City, now winless in seven matches and sitting 11 points adrift in fifth, find themselves far from the title race.
Their struggles continued despite making changes, including dropping Ederson and restoring Kyle Walker and Ruben Dias to the defense.
Arsenal and Chelsea remain Liverpool’s closest challengers, while City’s grip on the title appears to be slipping after four consecutive league crowns.
Their only point since October 26 came in a dramatic 3-3 Champions League draw with Feyenoord, where they squandered a three-goal lead in the final 15 minutes.
Liverpool dominated the early exchanges, with Gakpo converting Salah’s cross in the 12th minute after relentless pressure. Stefan Ortega’s heroics kept City in the game, denying Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai, while Virgil van Dijk’s powerful header struck the post.
Despite their defensive efforts, City struggled to escape their own half. Gakpo’s goal was soon followed by near misses, including another Van Dijk header that grazed the post. City’s rare chance came late in the first half when Rico Lewis sent a shot wide.
City showed more intent after the break but remained vulnerable to Liverpool’s counter-attacks. Ortega thwarted Gakpo once again, and Salah squandered a one-on-one opportunity, missing the target to the frustration of the home crowd.
A defensive lapse sealed City’s fate. Luis Diaz intercepted Walker and surged forward, earning a penalty when Ortega brought him down.
Salah, having missed from the spot in a recent Champions League win over Real Madrid, made no mistake this time, slotting home his 13th goal of the season.
Guardiola introduced Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Jack Grealish, and Kevin De Bruyne from the bench in a bid to turn the tide, but City’s reliance on Erling Haaland was evident as Van Dijk kept him quiet.
A late error by Van Dijk gifted De Bruyne a chance, but Caoimhin Kelleher denied him, preserving Liverpool’s clean sheet.
In the final moments, Guardiola faced chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from the Anfield crowd.
The City manager responded defiantly, holding up six fingers to signify his six Premier League titles in the last seven seasons.
