City humiliate Liverpool at Anfield in 3-0 rout

Goals from Haaland, Doku and Cherki seal a commanding second-half victory as City move to the top of the Premier League

By Andalo Christine Ingutia

Manchester City delivered a painful and emphatic blow to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, scoring three second-half goals to secure a convincing 3-0 victory in their Premier League Gameweek 6 clash.

Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku and Rayan Cherki were all on target as City maintained their perfect start to the season, moving three points clear at the top of the table. It was a performance that said much about Pep Guardiola’s side — composed, clinical and utterly ruthless when it mattered.

The result came at a particularly charged moment for City, who continue to face serious off-field pressure following an independent commission’s finding of financial rule breaches. On the pitch, however, there was no sign of distraction. Guardiola’s men let their football do the talking on what was a thoroughly difficult afternoon for the home side.

The first half was tightly contested, with both teams struggling to find the breakthrough. Liverpool pressed high and used their home advantage to make life uncomfortable for the visitors, but City controlled possession comfortably and were content to be patient.

Tempers flared early, with Liverpool defender Ronald Araújo picking up a yellow card in the eighth minute. Ryan Gravenberch was also booked before the break — a caution that would prove decisive for the hosts.

Liverpool’s hopes of salvaging anything from the match suffered a severe blow in the 47th minute when Gravenberch received his second yellow card and was sent off. The midfielder’s dismissal left the home side with ten men and handed City exactly the space and opportunity they needed to take control.

They did not wait long to capitalise. Haaland broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, finishing coolly to put City ahead and silence a stunned Anfield. Liverpool had barely had a chance to regroup when Doku doubled the lead just three minutes later. The winger produced a brilliant finish, cutting inside before curling the ball beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

City were now firmly in command, and Liverpool could offer little in response. Cherki added the third in the 78th minute, putting the result well beyond doubt and capping off a dominant second-half display.

Despite Liverpool’s efforts in the closing stages, City defended their advantage comfortably. Virgil van Dijk was booked late in the match as frustration visibly grew among the home players — a fitting symbol of how completely the afternoon had slipped away from them.

The numbers told the full story. City finished with 65 per cent possession and 15 shots to Liverpool’s 35 per cent and 10 attempts, while completing 89 per cent of their passes — a masterclass in controlled, purposeful football.

For Liverpool, the defeat will sting long after the final whistle. They had held City well for much of the first hour, and for a time the game looked finely balanced. Gravenberch’s dismissal changed everything, but the manner in which City punished them illustrated just how merciless they can be when given even a hint of space.

For Manchester City, this was about far more than three points. It was a statement — a clear signal to every title rival that off-field turbulence will not derail their campaign. With six wins from six matches, City sit firmly at the summit of the Premier League, while Liverpool must regroup quickly and look ahead.

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