Sadio Mane’s red card left Liverpool vulnerable and Manchester City capitalised in a 5-0 win on Saturday.
Manchester
City underlined their Premier League title credentials with a 5-0
thrashing of Liverpool as Sergio Aguero set a goalscoring landmark and
Sadio Mane saw red.
Saturday’s contest at the
Etihad Stadium burst into life when Aguero broke the deadlock to become
the Premier League’s all-time leading non-European goalscorer on 124.
Liverpool
were left facing a huge uphill battle when Mane was dismissed for
raising his boot in a challenge for a bouncing ball with goalkeeper
Ederson, who was taken off on a stretcher after prolonged treatment, but
later confirmed to have escaped serious injury.
Gabriel
Jesus’ header doubled City’s lead in the stoppage time that resulted
from that delay and he scored again early in the second half to end any
hopes Jurgen Klopp’s side had of mounting a comeback.
Substitute
Leroy Sane capped a brilliant team move and superb display from the
hosts by netting an excellent brace, bringing to an end Klopp’s
impressive record against City, having enjoyed a return of 10 points
from his previous four matches with them. Klopp also endured the
joint-heaviest defeat of his managerial career.
The
victory takes Pep Guardiola’s men to the summit for at least a few
hours, with their opponents now three points back following a first loss
of the campaign.
Without the
injured Vincent Kompany or suspended Raheem Sterling, City were
initially put on the back foot by a visiting line-up still devoid of
wantaway forward Philippe Coutinho’s services.
Nicolas
Otamendi’s clumsy challenge on Mohamed Salah gave the visitors an early
sight of goal from a free-kick just to the right of the penalty area,
but Alberto Moreno’s shot struck the two-man wall.
City
responded well and Kevin De Bruyne called compatriot Simon Mignolet
into action at the other end, the Belgian goalkeeper making a solid save
from the midfielder’s powerful low shot.
Mignolet
was also equal to Fernandinho’s skidding effort in the 13th minute as
City began to emerge as the greater attacking force.
And
the breakthrough came when Liverpool’s defence was cut open by Kevin De
Bruyne’s throughball and Aguero coolly rounded Mignolet before slotting
home his sixth goal in as many home Premier League games against the
Reds.
Mane threatened an instant riposte with a
surging run, which Fernandinho brought to a halt by foul means just on
the edge of the box, earning a booking for his troubles.
Emre
Can was wasteful with the set-piece and City breathed another sigh of
relief when Ederson saved smartly at Salah’s feet soon after.
It
was Liverpool’s turn to fret next when Ragnar Klavan was caught in
possession deep in his own half by Jesus, who forced a corner from which
John Stones drew a reflex stop from Mignolet.
The
visitors’ task was made all the more difficult when Mane saw red
following his challenge on Ederson, ending both players’ outings, with
Claudio Bravo introduced for City.
And
Guardiola’s side made their numerical advantage count when Jesus, who
had already seen a goal ruled out for offside, headed in the second from
the impressive De Bruyne’s assist.
Liverpool
were evidently deflated and the game was put beyond them when Aguero
selflessly squared for Jesus, taking Mignolet out of the equation and
leaving his team-mate with a simple finish.
The
best was still to come from City’s perspective, with Sane – on for
Jesus, substituted with an eye on Wednesday’s Champions League match at
Feyenoord – putting the finishing touch on a flowing move before adding a
fifth by arrowing a stunning left-footed strike into the top corner.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will host Sevilla in midweek nursing the heaviest loss of Klopp’s tenure.
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