Overview
- Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku scored in a comprehensive win at the Etihad that moved City four points behind leaders Arsenal.
- Liverpool’s fifth Premier League loss in 11 matches left them eighth in the table and eight points off the top after a week that had briefly hinted at recovery.
- Slot acknowledged City were superior, said the game plan failed, and insisted talk of a title push is premature until Liverpool string together wins.
- Virgil van Dijk’s second-half header was ruled out for offside interference by Andy Robertson, a decision Slot and Robertson questioned though the manager did not blame it for the defeat.
- Pep Guardiola said City nullified Mohamed Salah by surrounding him in possession, while pundits and local media criticized Liverpool’s inconsistency and the stuttering impact of big summer signings.