Man City 0-2 Liverpool: Salah Shines as Reds Extend Premier League Lead

Liverpool delivered a statement victory at the Etihad Stadium, defeating Manchester City 2-0 to move 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

With Mohamed Salah leading the charge, Arne Slot’s side completed a league double over the reigning champions, putting themselves in pole position to dethrone Pep Guardiola’s men.

Despite City’s dominance in possession, Erling Haaland’s absence was keenly felt as Liverpool absorbed pressure and struck clinically in the first half.

Let’s take a look at the best and worst performers from this crucial encounter.

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Man City’s Best Player vs Liverpool

Omar Marmoush – A Lone Bright Spot

January signing Omar Marmoush has already made an impression, and while City struggled, the Egyptian forward showed glimpses of his talent.

• Played as a false nine alongside Phil Foden.
• Looked sharp between the lines, often dropping deep to link play.
• Had a goal ruled out for offside, showcasing his instinctive finishing ability.

Liverpool’s rock-solid defense limited his impact, but Marmoush showed why he could be a key figure for City in the coming seasons.

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Man City’s Worst Player vs Liverpool

Kevin De Bruyne – A Shadow of His Former Self

Once the engine of City’s dominance, Kevin De Bruyne struggled to make an impact against Liverpool.

• Physically a step behind, failing to dictate play as he once did.
• Looked fatigued, despite being rested in midweek against Real Madrid.
• Struggled to influence City’s attacking flow, often overrun in midfield.

At 33 years old, De Bruyne still possesses world-class vision, but injuries and time seem to be catching up with him.

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Liverpool’s Best Player vs Man City

Mohamed Salah – The Decisive Force

Liverpool needed just a few moments of brilliance to seal the victory, and Mohamed Salah was at the heart of both goals.

• Opened the scoring with a well-timed finish after a Szoboszlai assist.
• Returned the favor, setting up Szoboszlai for Liverpool’s second goal.
• Extended his goalscoring streak to eight consecutive games.

With 50 goal contributions this season (41 in the Premier League), Salah is delivering one of the greatest individual campaigns in modern football history.

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Liverpool’s Worst Player vs Man City

Trent Alexander-Arnold – Struggled Against Doku’s Pace

Despite Liverpool’s defensive resilience, Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a difficult afternoon dealing with Jeremy Doku’s relentless dribbling.

• Dribbled past eight times in the first half alone.
• Found himself outpaced and outmaneuvered, allowing City’s wingers to exploit space.
• Slot had to make tactical adjustments, bringing in Wataru Endo to offer extra protection.

Although Alexander-Arnold improved in the second half, it was a game where his defensive frailties were exposed.

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📢 What’s Next for Man City & Liverpool?

• Liverpool now hold a commanding lead and look set to reclaim the Premier League title.
• City must regroup, with their only remaining trophy hope being the FA Cup.
• Can Guardiola’s men mount a late-season resurgence, or is this the beginning of Liverpool’s new era?

What do you think? Has Liverpool sealed the title, or can City fight back? Share your thoughts below!