By Olaitan Ibrahim
Liverpool delivered a commanding performance at Anfield on Sunday, defeating Manchester City 2-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to nine points.
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 12th minute after Mohamed Salah’s precise pass allowed him to strike confidently from close range.
Earlier, Dominik Szoboszlai had tested City’s goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, with a powerful effort from distance, while Virgil van Dijk saw a close-range header skim the post.
City had their moments, with Rico Lewis coming close in the 39th minute, but his shot from the edge of the box drifted just wide.
Liverpool, however, maintained control, showcasing relentless attacking energy in the second half.
Mohamed Salah’s skillful solo run in the 64th minute nearly added to the scoreline, but his shot narrowly missed the target.
Moments later, Trent Alexander-Arnold forced an impressive save from Ortega, keeping City in the match.
The decisive second goal came in the 78th minute when Salah converted a penalty awarded after Ortega fouled a Liverpool player inside the box. His calm strike into the bottom right corner sealed the victory.
Despite City’s efforts to claw back, including a sharp attempt from Kevin De Bruyne in the 84th minute, Liverpool’s goalkeeper remained resolute, denying the visitors any chance of a comeback.
The Reds’ triumph further compounded City’s struggles and solidified Liverpool’s position as the league leaders, setting a daunting pace in the title race.