Manchester City thrashed Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield to continue Enzo Maresca's amazing start to the season. In the first game played since news of City's cheating was proven by an independent panel, the Blues held firm and then picked Andoni Iraola's side apart.
Doku changes the game
All the talk before the game was of how the City players would react to what they would encounter at Anfield, and after some early nerves they quickly settled as the better team. Liverpool looked brighter when the second half began but the introduction of Jeremy Doku changed the game.
His running earned Ryan Gravenberch a second yellow card, helped Erling Haaland to score the opening goal and the Belgian then curled home a wonderful second goal. Rayan Cherki added a third to really rub Liverpool noses in it.
Player ratings from the Manchester Evening News
Donnarumma: Weak in the first half but made a number of decent saves after the break as Liverpool tried to turn the screw. 6
Nunes: Some excellent tackles and interceptions to keep Barcola quiet, even if one second-half error did let Liverpool in. 7
Dias: Had a comfortable afternoon up against rookie Lewis Koumas and worked well with Guehi. 7
Guehi: Very professional, using all of his experience to keep City calm after a rushed start. 7
O'Reilly: Wasteful in possession and after he earned a yellow card it was sensible to take him off. 6
Anderson: Outclassed fellow £116m signing Florian Wirtz and never stopped running all game. 8
Fernandez: Forming quite the partnership with Anderson and ensured City got control of the game. 7
Cherki: Was poor by his standards in the final third but he just creates so much and his goal was wonderful. 7
Ndiaye: Worked himself into the ground and was effective, then taken off before the real fun started. 7
Semenyo: Struggled to make an impact on the left but was better when he moved to the right. 6
Haaland: Should have done better with his first chance in the second half but was clinical with his next one. 7
Substitutes
Doku (for Ndiaye, 56) Changed the game with his running and his quality. One red, one assist (of sorts) and one goal. 9
Gvardiol (for O'Reilly, 66) Immediately on the same wavelength as Doku. 7
Allan (for Haaland, 80) No time
Bouaddi (for Fernandez, 80) Harshly booked
Not used: Rulli, Khusanov, Lewis, Reis, Kovacic
