MX23RW : Thursday, January 9 01:15:05| >> :60:3392:3392:
[monks data]
Manchester City logo
Premier League | Gameweek 32
Jul 2, 2020 at 8.15pm UK
Etihad Stadium
Liverpool logo

Man City
4 - 0
Liverpool

De Bruyne (25' pen.), Sterling (35'), Foden (45'), Oxlade-Chamberlain (66' og.)
Mendy (41'), Walker (57')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Gomez (24'), Henderson (90+1')

Man City 4-0 Liverpool: Five talking points as hosts humble new champions

Man City 4-0 Liverpool: Five talking points as hosts humble new champions
© Reuters
The hosts gave their visitors a guard of honour before cruising to victory.

Manchester City cruised to a 4-0 victory over newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the game's talking points.

Guard of honour

A fan gestures towards the Liverpool team coach outside the Etihad Stadium as the new Premier League champions arrived
A fan gestures towards the Liverpool team coach outside the Etihad Stadium as the new Premier League champions arrived (Peter Byrne/PA)

Much was made of the ousted champions, on their own ground, having to applaud the new ones as they entered the pitch. In truth, without fans inside it was not much of an occasion. Liverpool's players looked slightly awkward as they walked out, while City's squad could not wait to break ranks and dump their tracksuit tops on the bench. Liverpool's coronation was not taken so well outside the stadium, where one fan in the middle of the road halted the Reds' team coach on its way to the ground.

Raheem Sterling v Joe Gomez

Sterling gave Gomez a tough time
Sterling gave Gomez a tough time (Laurence Griffiths/NMC Pool)

The pair had a confrontation in the first fixture at Anfield, which led to something of a dust-up when the players got together on England duty a couple of days later. Sterling drew first blood on the resumption of their personal duel at the Etihad, forcing Gomez to pull him down for De Bruyne's penalty. He then cut inside to shoot through Gomez's legs for City's second and leave the Liverpool defender somewhat frazzled. The centre-back was replaced at half-time.

Another De Bruyne masterclass

Kevin De Bruyne caused Liverpool significant problems
Kevin De Bruyne caused Liverpool significant problems (Dave Thompson/NMC Pool)

The Belgium international scored the opener from the penalty spot, his first goal against Liverpool in 10 appearances against them, but it was his general menace which caused Liverpool problems. He played as a number 10 but had free reign to go where – and do what – he wanted. And, after Gabriel Jesus wasted one brilliant defence-splitting ball, Phil Foden did not make the same mistake from a De Bruyne pass for the third just before half-time. He was less devastating but just as effective after the break, with his pass leading to City's fourth goal.

Away day blues continue for Reds

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could do nothing to change the side's goalscoring form away from home
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could do nothing to change the side's goalscoring form away from home (Dave Thompson/NMC Pool)

Jurgen Klopp's side have now gone five away games in all competitions without scoring – their worst run since April 1992. They were a long way from their clinical best up front, with Roberto Firmino particularly off the pace. Even Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, with 40 goals between them, failed to present Ederson with anything resembling a genuine test. The closest they came was when Salah hit the post in the first half with the score at 0-0.

Foden on fire

Phil Foden has been in great form since the restart
Phil Foden has been in great form since the restart (Dave Thompson/NMC Pool)

Manchester City youngster Phil Foden has scored or assisted in every game since the restart. At the Etihad he scored and assisted in the same match for the first time in the Premier League, becoming the youngest player to do so against Liverpool in the competition. The 20-year-old cleverly found pockets of space on City's right, giving Reds left-back Andy Robertson one of his most difficult nights of the season. He then showed his versatility by switching to the left and then up front.

ID:404892: cacheID:404892:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11570:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring against Norwich City on July 1, 2020
Read Next:
Warnock: 'Liverpool should move for Aubameyang'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!