MATCH REPORT AND PLAYER RATINGS: MANCHESTER CITY 4-1 LIVERPOOL

Image courtesy of 90min.com

A scintillating Manchester City performance, particularly in the second half, saw them exemplify the gulf in quality between themselves and Liverpool, as they ran out as overwhelming winners.

Liverpool took the lead through Mohamed Salah, after a long ball over the top was held up by Jota, leaving Salah to rifle it into the top corner. This, however, was very much a bolt from the blue, and it was the only real chance the Reds had in the entire game.

There was however, an incident just seconds before the equaliser, where Salah and Jota found themselves bearing down on goal, but left winger Jack Grealish recovered exceptionally to prevent Salah gifting Jota a golden chance to increase Liverpool's lead.

City retook control of the game, and equalised after a flowing move led to Argentine forward Julian Alvarez tapping home from a low Grealish cross.

Just after the break, a fast break and a sublime pass from Alvarez in the build up led to vice-captain Kevin de Bruyne tapping past the keeper after Riyad Mahrez's low driven cross.

City were now cruising, and playing with the tempo, control and threat that was reminiscent of their Centurions side. Captain Ilkay Gundogan extended the lead with a composed finish, after the ball dropped loose to hi in the penalty area.

Grealish rounded his fine individual performance off with a goal, exchanging passes with De Bruyne before sliding the ball past Alisson, capping off a thoroughly deserved win and scoreline for the Blues.

Here are the player ratings for what was labelled by Pep Guardiola as one of City's best performances since he took over 7 years ago!

Ederson - 7/10 - Wasn't at fault for Liverpool's goal. A few shaky passes in quick succession midway through the second half aside, he was solid in his distribution, and he made an excellent save from Cody Gakpo in the second half, despite the offside flag being raised.

Stones - 8.5/10 - Continues to excel when dropping into midfield. Alongside Rodri, they control the game and break down counter attacks superbly, and Stones' ability and comfrot on the ball is as good as any midfielder.

Akanji - 7/10 - Looked secure and strong in possession, whilst getting the better of Gakpo and Jota in most ground duels. There are question marks as to his positioning for Liverpool's goal, however, it was more down to the timing of jota's run and the pass, as opposed to anything Akanji did wrong.

Dias - 8.5/10 - Monumental at the back for City. Whilst his individual performance wasn't the best we've seen, it is undeniable that he influences the whole rest of the defence with his leadership and organisation skills. The first name on the team sheet at the moment.

Ake - 8/10 - Kept Salah, arguably the best winger in the Premier League, reasonably quiet. He has been immense all season, especially after the World Cup, and is one of the most important players to City right now.

Rodri - 8/10 - Went very much under the radar, but dominated the game as always, winning every second ball and keeping the ball under the pressure. Could have been sent off, but if that was a second yellow, then Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold should also have been booked at least once. The referee officiated the game leniently, and not sending Rodri off fitted in with that.

De Bruyne - 9/10 - A goal and an assist for the brilliant Belgian. De Bruyne sparkled in the centre of midfield, taking the game to Liverpool, who seem to be his favourite opponent, as he turns up against them every time.

Gundogan - 8.5/10 - Excellent in possession as always. He did his defensive duties, and took his goal with calmness and composure. Gundogan is a City legend, and always turns up in the big moments.

Mahrez - 8.5/10 - Tore Andy Robertson to shreds, and was involved very much in the first 2 goals. Marked down slightly by 0.5 as he could have kept Robertson from providing such an attacking threat by tracking back more.

Alvarez - 9/10 - Another high energy performance from Alvarez. He showed his quality with the first and second goals, and linked the play very well when dropping deep. A testament to his performance is that it has restarted the debate as to whether City play better with or without Erling Haaland (this is the first time his name has been mentioned in the entire article, which says something about City's performance.)

Grealish - 9.5/10 - To everyone who doubted Jack Grealish: have some of that! What a performance from the 27 year-old Englishman - he will be in Alexander-Arnold's nightmares for weeks. He glided around the pitch like it was his own, and he rounded it off with his first goal at the Etihad since December 2021. He deserves a Chinese, that's for sure!

Substitutes:

Bernardo - 6.5/10 - Came off the bench, and performed well in the deepest lying midfield role. A promising sign, if there were to be an injury to Rodri.

Palmer - 6/10 - Finished off what Grealish started by dribbling past Alexander-Arnold almost immediately. Didn't have much time to do anything else.