Haaland, Doku and Cherki fire City to victory at Liverpool

In what was our first game after the three-week international break, Enzo Maresca’s side produced a magnificent all-round display to maintain our perfect start to the season and make it six wins from six in the league.

After a tight somewhat frenzied first half, Liverpool were then reduced to 10 men when Ryan Gravenberch was sent off after picking up two yellow cards.

City took full advantage. First Haaland unleashed a stunning drive on 66 minutes to open the scoring before substitute Doku then doubled the lead with a delicious strike two minutes later.

And a wonderful solo effort from Cherki on 78 minutes rounded off things as City made it back-to-back wins at Anfield for the first time since 1953.

The game in brief

Amidst a febrile, frenzied atmosphere on Merseyside, Maresca’s side more than met the challenge.

Seeking to build on what had been a perfect start to the season prior to the September international break, City had to withstand plenty of Liverpool pressure.

However, the Blues’ back line, with Nico O’Reilly back at left back, stayed disciplined and steadfast in seeking to repel all that Liverpool sought to throw at them.

Victor Munoz saw a 32nd minute deflected into the side netting after a neat exchange with Florian Wirtz while Gianluigi Donnarumma needed to be alert to gather a Munoz drive two minutes later.

However, the Blues, backed a noisy backing of travelling fans armed with throwback inflatable bananas, proved equal to the task and soon began to ask probing questions at the other end.

Enzo Fernández forced Alisson Becker into a scrambling save at the second attempt from his 20-yard drive and the Liverpool keeper then produced a vital interception to divert a dangerous Elliot Anderson cross.

That said, Donnarumma earned his spurs three minutes after the restart, producing fine double parries to both Lewis Koumas and Ryan Gravenberch with Alexis Mac Alister firing a shot narrowly wide.

Liverpool were then indebted to Milos Kerkez for a vital block to deny Iliman Ndiaye as the City winger sought to apply the finish to Antoine Semenyo’s superb ball into the box.

And City spurned an even better opportunity just on the hour when Erling Halaand diverted a shot just the wrong side of the post after ghosting onto a sublime Semenyo through ball.

Liverpool were then reduced the 10 men when dangerman Gravenberch was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge on City substitute Jérémy Doku.

And the Blues immediately seized in the advantage as Haaland struck on 65 minutes in imperious fashion.
Doku created the initial moment of danger cutting inside into the box and then trying his luck.

The Belgian’s shot was blocked by Mac Alister but in an instant Haaland unleashed a stunning drive that rocketed into the net.

It had been coming – and two minutes later the Blues had doubled the advantage thanks to a sublime Doku strike.

The Belgian mirrored the move that led to the opener, jinking in from the right before then unleashing a beautiful drive into the top right hand corner.

And a memorable Sunday got even better on 78 minutes when Cherki added further stardust to the win.

Teams

LIVERPOOL XI: Alisson, Araujo (Frimpong 74), Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Munoz, Wirtz (Nyoni 67), Barcola, Koumas (Ngumoha 74)

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Tsimikas, McConnell

CITY XI: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias (C), Guéhi, O’Reilly (Gvardiol 66), Anderson, Fernández (Bouaddi 80), Ndiaye (Doku 56), Cherki, Semenyo, Haaland (Allan 80).

Subs: Rulli, Kovačić, Reis , Khusanov, Lewis.

Star man

There were no shortage of contenders but once again Elliot Anderson delivered a midfield masterclass.

In the most imposing of arenas, the England international was simply outstanding. 

Alert to every danger, composed in possession and full of tireless, lung bursting effort, it was the complete performance from a player who just gets better and better.

Double delight

This felt like a huge result for a myriad of reasons – and was also a big victory in historical terms.

Down the years Anfield has rarely been a happy hunting ground for the Blues.

But today’s victory made it successive wins at Anfield following on from our 2-1 win here in February.

In the process it meant we enjoyed back-to-back league victories at Liverpool’s home for the first time since January 1953.

HAALAND reaction

It’s part of Man City and every single fan.

It’s a lovely moment that will stick with us for a long time when it comes to the feeling of after the game and in the game. It was tough and hard.

We showed amazing character from Gigi at the back, all the way to the front. I’m so proud of everyone.

It’s always tough to come here. It’s about these times to stay strong mentally and stick together. And do what you can do something about.

What we can do is play good football and fight together. This will stay with us for a long time.

Enzo’s reaction

Very difficult circumstances, difficult environment. We struggled first half, we were on the ball but not so much off the ball.

Second half we made some adjustments and we were much better.

In the build-up we were not doing the right things, second half we were better.

 It was nice to play this kind of game for the noise, the environment. We need to make our noise and deal with their noise.

What it means

Today’s result leaves City top of the Premier League table with a perfect record of 18 points from six games.

It also means we extend the advantage on second placed Arsenal to three points.

What’s next

City resume UEFA Champions League action on Wednesday when we play host to Paris Saint Germain.

It’s our second league phase clash seeking to build on a fine 2-0 win at FC Porto in last month’s opener.

The clash with the reigning European champions takes place on Wednesday, October 14 with kick-off slated for 20.00 (UK).