Liverpool went 11 points clear of defending Premier League champions Manchester City following a 2-0 win over their title rivals thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah.
The Reds started in lightning fashion, piling forward in numbers, and Virgil van Dijk was only denied by the woodwork. However, Liverpool were rewarded with a 12th-minute opener as Salah’s inviting ball was finished by Gakpo.
Van Dijk was a towering presence at both ends and sent a powerful header just over as Liverpool continued to dominate the first half.
It took 39 minutes for City to have their only effort in the first half as Rico Lewis sent an effort off-target.
Salah blazed a one-on-one effort over in the second half as City gained belief but failed to have attempts on goal.
City’s hopes were effectively ended 12 minutes from time when goalkeeper Stefan Ortega brought down Luis Diaz and Salah finished from the penalty spot.
Liverpool are now nine points clear of Arsenal at the summit of the Premier League and 11 ahead of fifth-placed Manchester City.
Slot’s side now have away tests at Newcastle United and Everton as they bid to continue their winning run.
Meanwhile, City look to turn around a run of four Premier League defeats when they host Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.
Talking Point – Salah sends message to club with performance
Salah provided a perfect assist for Gakpo for the opening goal and then kept his calm to score a late penalty to seal the win.
The Egyptian has now scored 11 Premier League goals this season with many of them crucial to their success.
However, the 32-year-old keeps sending message to the club’s hierarchy that he could leave in the summer without a contract.
Player of the Match – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The 33-year-old defender had one of the best matches of his stellar career to completely stifle the City attack and Haaland.
Van Dijk also contributed at set pieces with his first effort crashing against the post and having a header which flew over.
However, it was his defensive work which frustrated City with the defending Premier League champions having just one shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
Haaland has 12 Premier League goals to his name this season but failed to have a meaningful effort against a stubborn defensive display.
Player Ratings
Liverpool: Kelleher 8, Alexander-Arnold 8, Gomez 7, Van Dijk 8, Robertson 7, Gravenberch 7, Mac Allister 7, Salah 8, Szoboszlai 7, Diaz 7, Gakpo 7. Subs: Elliott 6, Jones 6, Nunez 6, Quansah 6.
Manchester City: Ortega 8, Walker 6, Dias 6, Akanji 7, Ake 7, Lewis 7, Gundogan 7, Silva 6, Foden 7, Nunes 6, Haaland 6. Subs: De Bruyne 6, Doku 7, Grealish 6, Savinho 6
Match Highlights
11’ – VAN DIJK RATTLES POST: Liverpool are inches from taking the lead as Van Dijk smashes an effort off the woodwork.
12’ –GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1 (GAKPO) MANCHESTER CITY 0: Salah cuts in from out wide and then sends an inviting low ball into the back post where Gakpo is waiting to score the opener.
18’ –VAN DIJK HEADS WIDE: Alexander-Arnold sends a beautiful ball into the path of Salah on the shoulder of Ake and the City man concedes a corner. The resulting set piece finds the head of Van Dijk, who heads wide.
39’ –LEWIS GOES CLOSE: City have their first chance as goal as Haaland cuts the ball back to Lewi,s whose low effort beats Kelleher but also sneaks wide of the post.
57’ –SALAH BIG CHANCE IS OVER: Liverpool capitalise on an Akanji error and Salah is completely free and in on goal. However, the Egyptian lifts his effort over. It’s a big miss.
78’ – GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2 (SALAH) MANCHESTER CITY 0: Salah strokes home the penalty into the bottom corner out of the reach of Ortega. The penalty came after Ortega brought down Diaz. Liverpool are out of sight.
Key Stats
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