Mohamed Salah starred again as Liverpool stretched their lead at the top of the English Premier League to nine points and added to the woes of champions Manchester City with a 2-0 victory at Anfield on Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side, fresh from beating UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid in midweek, were dominant against City, with Cody Gakpo and Salah netting at a boisterous Anfield.
Liverpool were not flattered by the margin of victory, which leaves them 11 points clear of City, who have not won for seven matches — losing their past four league games.
Virgil van Dijk had headed against the post – while City keeper Stefan Ortega, in for the dropped Ederson, had already been in constant action – before Liverpool went ahead after 12 minutes.
Salah showed great vision to pick out Gakpo for a simple finish in front of the Kop as City were unable to cope with Liverpool’s relentless attacking intensity.
Van Dijk headed wide when it seemed easier to score and Liverpool created more chances when, as City hinted at a belated recovery, the league leaders deservedly increased their lead with 12 minutes left.
Liverpool substitute Darwin Nunez forced the hesitant Ruben Dias into an error.
Luis Diaz took advantage and bore down on goal, only to be brought down by Ortega, with Salah making no mistake from the spot after missing against Real Madrid in midweek.
Salah has scored and assisted in a Premier League game for the 36th time; the joint-most by a player in the competition’s history, equalling Wayne Rooney’s record (36), according to Opta statistics.
