Manchester City v Liverpool | Premier League | Match Highlights

Mohamed Salah was once again at the heart of everything as Liverpool outclassed Manchester City to claim a 2-0 victory and extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points.

The Egyptian opened the scoring after just 14 minutes, finishing off a well-worked set-piece routine, drilling the ball home from inside the box after Dominik Szoboszlai had flicked on a low corner first-time into Salah’s path. The goal sent Anfield into raptures, with the home crowd sensing that another special performance from their talisman was unfolding before their eyes. Salah’s sharp movement inside the penalty area, his keen eye for goal, and his ability to execute under pressure once again set him apart as one of the deadliest forwards in world football. As Manchester City defenders scrambled to react, Salah had already found the net, wheeling away in celebration as his teammates mobbed him in appreciation of yet another clinical finish.

Salah then turned provider, assisting Szoboszlai for Liverpool’s second. This was a moment that encapsulated Salah’s all-round playmaking ability, as he drifted wide, luring defenders out of position before delivering a perfectly weighted pass that allowed Szoboszlai to strike cleanly. The Hungarian midfielder, who has enjoyed an impressive debut season at Liverpool, took full advantage of Salah’s vision, timing his run to perfection and driving his shot beyond the despairing dive of Ederson. The fluidity of Liverpool’s attack, spearheaded by Salah, left City struggling to contain the relentless movement and energy of Jürgen Klopp’s side. The second goal only further demoralized Guardiola’s men, who found themselves unable to break through Liverpool’s well-organized defensive structure.

It was yet another remarkable performance in what is shaping up to be a historic season for Salah. His goal and assist took his tally to 41 goal involvements in the Premier League this campaign, leaving him just six behind Alan Shearer and Andy Cole’s all-time record of 47 with 11 games still to play. The numbers are staggering, a testament to Salah’s incredible consistency and ability to produce in the biggest moments. What’s more, those two players set their records in a 42-game season, making Salah’s numbers even more extraordinary. The sheer efficiency with which he operates in front of goal has placed him in the upper echelons of Premier League greats, and should he continue at this rate, he could rewrite the history books in more ways than one.

It also meant Salah extended his impressive record against Pep Guardiola’s City. Since Guardiola took charge in 2016, no player has scored more Premier League goals against Man City than Salah’s nine. This dominance against one of the best teams in world football is a testament to Salah’s ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. Whether it is his deadly finishing, his blistering pace on the counterattack, or his intelligent movement off the ball, Salah has consistently found ways to hurt Manchester City. Guardiola, a manager renowned for his meticulous tactical planning, has yet to find a reliable solution to stopping Liverpool’s Egyptian king. Every time these two teams meet, Salah seems to produce something special, reinforcing his status as one of the most feared forwards in the game.

This was the 11th Premier League game this season in which Salah has both scored and assisted, the highest tally in a single season across Europe’s top five leagues since Lionel Messi managed 11 for Barcelona in 2014-15. The comparisons with Messi are not unwarranted; Salah has developed into a player capable of influencing games not just with his goals but also with his creativity and ability to bring others into play. His all-around game has evolved significantly since his arrival at Anfield, and he is now widely regarded as one of the most complete attackers in the sport. The fact that he is matching records set by Messi, a player widely considered the greatest of all time, speaks volumes about Salah’s brilliance and the impact he has had on this Liverpool team.

In a game where Guardiola named his joint-youngest starting XI for Man City (25 years and 68 days), it really did feel like men against boys for most of the contest. City may have registered twice as many shots as Liverpool (16 to 8), but the visitors still finished with a higher expected goals (xG) total and kept City at arm’s length throughout. Despite their possession dominance, City struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Liverpool’s defensive shape and pressing structure neutralizing their usual intricate passing patterns. Virgil van Dijk marshaled the backline with authority, while Alisson Becker made crucial interventions when called upon. It was a masterclass in game management from Liverpool, who demonstrated the experience and composure of champions, absorbing pressure before striking decisively on the counterattack.

This result feels seismic and perhaps was the moment the title was sewn up. Completing the league double over Manchester City is a rare feat, and Liverpool have now done it for just the third time in the Premier League era (also 2005-06 and 2015-16). The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated. Beating Guardiola’s City once is difficult enough, but to do it twice in a single season underlines just how formidable this Liverpool side has become. The mental resilience, tactical discipline, and sheer quality within Klopp’s squad have been evident throughout the campaign, and this victory serves as yet another statement of their title credentials. The belief within the Liverpool camp is palpable, and with the finishing line in sight, they appear determined to reclaim the Premier League crown they last won in 2019-20.

They now sit 11 points clear of Arsenal at the end of the weekend, and the Gunners’ title hopes are hanging by a thread. Liverpool look every inch the champions-elect. While Arsenal and Manchester City remain in contention mathematically, the momentum is firmly with Liverpool. The depth of their squad, the winning mentality ingrained by Klopp, and the sheer brilliance of Mohamed Salah make them overwhelming favorites to lift the trophy. With 11 games remaining, the challenge now is to maintain their high standards and see the job through. If Salah continues to deliver match-winning performances at this rate, there is little doubt that Liverpool will be crowned champions come the end of the season.