Manchester City ended Liverpool’s unbeaten run at Anfield with a 3‑2 victory, a result that came after a dramatic match in which the Reds were reduced to ten men and struggled to contain the City attack. Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki each found the net, while the game’s turning point was a red card to Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, who was sent off for a second yellow in the second half.
The match began with a tense first half, but City’s front three made early inroads. Haaland’s first goal was a clinical finish that left Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson with no chance. Doku followed with a powerful strike that left the keeper scrambling, and the third goal came from Rayan Cherki, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to seal the win. Liverpool’s attempts to rally were hampered by the loss of Gravenberch, who had been a key presence in midfield before his dismissal.
Liverpool’s defense was exposed on several occasions. Alisson was unable to stop Haaland’s shot and later struggled against a beautiful finish from Doku. Ronald Araujo received a yellow card early and seemed frustrated that the first two goals came from his own side. Virgil van Dijk was often pushed out of position to cover midfield, and his failure to close Haaland down early on was criticised. Young defender Jeremy Jacquet showed promise but was overwhelmed by City’s quality attack, while Milos Kerkez fought well but lacked impact in the final third.
Midfield saw a mix of performances. Alexis Mac Allister grew into the game and made a good shift, but Liverpool’s shape deteriorated after the red card. Ryan Gravenberch, who had been the team’s best player until his dismissal, was naive in his approach. Victor Munoz was a nuisance for City, causing problems for Nico O’Reilly, who was booked for a foul on the Spaniard. Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola were both deemed to have underperformed, with Wirtz’s lack of impact highlighted as a key issue for the club.
On the City side, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had a shaky start but made a series of important saves in the second half to keep the score level. Matheus Nunes and Ruben Dias were solid at the back, while Marc Guehi also performed well in central defence. Nico O’Reilly was solid going forward but was booked after a foul on Munoz. Elliot Anderson provided an assist for Doku and was involved in many plays, while Enzo Fernandez’s performance improved after Gravenberch’s dismissal. Iliman Ndiaye was dangerous on the ball before being replaced by Doku, who scored a spectacular goal.
The match’s outcome left Liverpool in a precarious position in the Premier League standings, while City’s victory boosted their confidence ahead of upcoming fixtures. With the Reds now facing a new challenge, the focus will shift to tightening their defence and ensuring key players remain fit for the remainder of the season.