Liverpool strengthened their grip on the Premier League title race with a commanding 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, extending their lead at the top of the table to nine points.
Cody Gakpo’s early goal and a late Mohamed Salah penalty handed Manchester City their fourth consecutive league defeat, leaving Pep Guardiola’s side in fifth place, 11 points adrift of Liverpool. This marks a historic low for the reigning champions, who have not endured a losing streak of this magnitude since 2008.
The Reds’ win continues their remarkable form under manager Arne Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp ahead of the season. Liverpool have now won 18 of 20 games in all competitions, including 11 of their 13 Premier League matches, positioning them as clear favorites to claim their first title since 2020.
Manchester City’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed early when Salah’s curling shot deflected into Gakpo’s path, allowing the Dutch forward to tap in from close range in the 12th minute. Guardiola’s gamble to start backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega over Ederson backfired as Ortega later conceded a penalty in the 78th minute after fouling Luis Diaz. Salah calmly converted the spot-kick to seal the victory.
City’s struggles have raised questions about their title defense, as Guardiola’s team is now on a seven-game winless streak across all competitions — the longest barren run of his managerial career. While City has previously overcome deficits during the Guardiola era, no Premier League champion has recovered from an 11-point gap this late in the season to win the title.
Liverpool’s resurgence under Slot has transformed the team into a dominant force. The Anfield faithful mocked Guardiola with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning,” to which he responded by gesturing the six league titles he has won with City. Despite his defiance, City’s current form suggests their hopes of retaining the title are fading.
The Reds are now nine points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who face pressure to keep pace with the league leaders. Liverpool’s cohesive performances and clinical finishing under Slot’s guidance have rekindled memories of their 2020 championship run.
