Manchester City delivered a deafening declaration of intent to celebrate Pep Guardiola’s milestone of 1000 games as manager, as Liverpool were swept off the pitch without further ado at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s 3-0 win was an ominous warning to league leaders Arsenal, whose lead at the top was reduced to four points. At the same time, the victory dealt a serious blow to Liverpool and damaged their hopes of defending the title.
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Guardiola had to navigate City through troubled waters last season when their historic run of four straight league championships came to an end, raising questions about the Spaniard’s ability to rebuild the team.
After years of almost uninterrupted success with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, was Guardiola still keen to create a new champion team?
This was the most unequivocal response from Guardiola and his players – a performance that was at the same time sparkling, dangerous and full of the strength and pace that suggests City are back fit to challenge for the Premier League trophy.
If Guardiola had asked for a gift from City’s players to mark his inspirational manager on his big day, this was the perfect present.
Guardiola saw it this way, saying: “I just want to say thank you to the players and the support staff for giving me that gift. I’m proud to have achieved this here in Manchester with my City.”
However, the experience would have been the opposite of celebratory for Arsenal, and very painful here, for Liverpool.
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Arsenal still appear to be favourites, but we have only played 11 games, and City have shown in the past that they enjoy making opponents feel their breath down their necks.
After Arsenal conceded two points in the closing minutes against Sunderland on Saturday, the door was suddenly ajar. City broke through in spectacular fashion.
For Liverpool, this was a chilling and humiliating experience.
It was here at the Etihad Stadium in February last year that Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City completed the double, effectively deciding the league title chase.
This game, both in result and performance, was a complete contrast. Liverpool were overrun by a revitalized City.
This is not a defeat that ends their hopes of keeping the crown – after all, we are only 11 games into the season.
Still, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how Liverpool in their current form can present a serious challenge, after their fifth defeat in the last six league games.
