Man City turned Anfield boos into a 3-0 win against Liverpool to extend their unbeaten run

Manchester City responded to a hostile reception at Anfield with a commanding 3-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, extending their perfect start to the Premier League season and strengthening their position at the top of the table following the verdict on their financial rules.

They are playing their first game since being found by an independent commission guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial regulationsCity were greeted with deafening boos, chants of “cheat, cheat” and jeers of “cheat” from Liverpool fans. Banners mocking the club’s financial behavior were also put up around the stadium, reflecting the anger surrounding the ruling.

However, when the final whistle blew, it was the traveling supporters in blue who had the last laugh. Second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Ryan Cherki sealed a comprehensive victory for Pep Guardiola’s side, who took advantage of Liverpool being reduced to 10 men after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off just after the hour mark.

The result made it six wins from six games for City and lifted them to 18 points, three ahead of second-placed Arsenal. Meanwhile, Liverpool suffered their first league defeat of the season and dropped to ninth in the table.

HAALAND BREAKS THE BLOCK

Liverpool started the match in an emotionally charged atmosphere, with the home supporters making their feelings about City’s financial verdict unmistakably clear. The away team’s line-up jeered before kick-off, while chants referring to possible relegation penalties continued throughout the match.

However, City withstood the early pressure and gradually settled into the match, keeping their composure despite the hostility from the stands.

The decisive moment came in the 62nd minute when Gravenberch received a second yellow card for a foul on Dokua, leaving Liverpool with 10 men for the rest of the game.

City needed little time to capitalize on their numerical advantage. Three minutes later, Haaland broke the deadlock and fired a left-footed shot past Alisson after Doku drove into the box and his shot was deflected into the Norwegian forward’s path.

Haaland immediately made his way to the traveling fans to celebrate, with Manchester City enjoying a breakthrough that shifted the momentum firmly in their favour.

The goal also provided a timely response for a club whose off-field issues have dominated the build-up to the match. With an emphasis on the financial verdict, City’s players delivered their response on the pitch.

DOKU, CHERKI SEAL ROUTE

Liverpool’s recovery hopes were dealt another blow three minutes after Haaland’s opener when Doku produced a moment of individual brilliance to double City’s advantage.

The Belgian winger collected the ball and unleashed a spectacular long-range effort that curled past Alisson into the far top corner, leaving the Liverpool keeper with little chance.

The goal underlined City’s growing control of the game, with the visitors able to capitalize on their numerical advantage with clinical finishing and attacking quality.

Cherki added the third in the 78th minute to complete the emphatic victory. The Frenchman ran the ball through to Josko Guardiola before moving into the box to meet his team-mate’s back pass and calmly slot home.

The strike effectively ended the match, with sections of the Liverpool crowd starting to leave Anfield with over 10 minutes remaining.

City players and staff celebrated with their traveling supporters after the final whistle, with Haaland and manager Enzo Maresca visibly pleased with the result. The away area also featured giant inflatable bananas, a long-standing symbol of City supporters dating back to the club’s non-top flight days in the 1980s.

CITY OF DECLARATION

The win brought significance beyond the three points and offered City a strong response on the pitch after a turbulent week dominated by the independent commission’s findings.

The club was found guilty of 114 breaches of financial reporting and other regulations over a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. City have denied wrongdoing and have appealed the verdict, with potential sanctions ranging from a hefty fine and points deduction to expulsion from the Premier League.

The uncertainty surrounding the case took the team to Merseyside, where Liverpool supporters showed their displeasure with banners, chants and jeers. City largely avoided crowds outside the stadium by taking an alternative route to Anfield, but once the teams turned up there was no escaping the hostility.

After the match, Haaland emphasized the importance of team unity as the club navigates the situation.

“It’s time to stay strong and stick together and do what you can do, stick together,” the striker told Sky Sports.

Midfielder Elliot Anderson also pointed to the team’s collective determination, stressing the importance of sticking together in a challenging environment.

City’s sixth league win in a row also strengthened Maresca’s start at the top. He became only the fourth manager to win his first six Premier League games with the club, joining Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

For Liverpool, the defeat marked a disappointing end to an afternoon which began with their supporters trying to put City under pressure over a financial row. Instead, Gravenberch’s dismissal and a clinical second-half display from City ensured the visitors walked away with all three points.

The verdict surrounding City remains unresolved as the appeal process continues, but their response at Anfield was emphatic. Amid boos, banners and jeers, City made their own statement, maintaining their perfect league record and leaving Liverpool with little to celebrate.

– The end