Liverpool took their opportunity to open up an incredible 11-point gap on reigning Premier League champions Manchester City with a pulsating 2-0 victory at Anfield.
Goaded by chants of ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’, Pep Guardiola responded to the Anfield crowd by highlighting City’s six Premier League titles under him.
But in the first week of December, it already appears that the four-time reigning champions are out of this season’s title race.
“I don’t think there is any way back for Man City now,” concluded Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher at the final whistle. “This season, Man City will not win the Premier League.
“It’s a mini-crisis for Manchester City. I actually think City might have a fight on their hands for top four.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Pep Guardiola gestured the number six to The Kop after fans chanted ‘sacked in the morning’ following Man City’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield
How Liverpool knocked City out of the title race
So often one of the fixture calendar’s marquee occasions, this latest instalment between two fierce title rivals didn’t disappoint, with Liverpool racing into an early lead through Cody Gakpo.
It could so easily have been worse for ragged City, whose crisis is deepening by the week, as Virgil van Dijk planted a free header against the post and Stefan Ortega – chosen ahead of Ederson – rebuffed a pair of Dominik Szoboszlai efforts.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mo Salah finds the space in the box to allow Cody Gakpo to knock the ball in at the far post to take the lead over Man City
Liverpool were purring, better in every department than their struggling visitors. Trent Alexander-Arnold was next to graze Ortega’s right-hand post, while the slickness of his passing was causing chaos for City’s Rodri-less midfield.
And with suggestions City’s legs have gone persisting, the second period only got worse. Arne Slot’s side were piercing with every fast-paced attack, as Gakpo nearly had a second when released by a wonderful Andy Robertson pass, only for Matheus Nunes to make a superb recovery tackle.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Liverpool are handed a penalty after confusion in the Man City defence before Mo Salah converts
Salah let City off the hook moments later after a horrible mix-up between Bernardo Silva and Manuel Akanji, screwing wide when one-on-one with Ortega, but the Egyptian is rarely denied.
The day firmly belonged to Liverpool, and Salah made sure of that by thumping a confident penalty beyond Ortega – who had wiped out Luis Diaz to concede the spot kick – to cap another fine display. City’s title defence, having lost four consecutive league games for the first time since 2008, appears all but over.
