Liverpool looked to have nearly one hand on the Premier League trophy after goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai gave The Reds a 2-0 win at Manchester City.
It was the first time Liverpool have won at the Etihad since 2018 and the win now extends Liverpool's lead to 11 points at the top of the Premier League table. This is City's fourth loss in their last six games in all competitions after getting dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid during the week.
It didn't take long for Liverpool to take the. ascendency in this one as after just 14 minutes a neat corner routine from Liverpool left Salah with the ball on the penalty spot. The Egyptian continued his imperious form as his shot was deflected past Ederson to give Liverpool the lead.
Mo Salah is happy with that 😁
Liverpool take the lead at the Etihad! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/KcJHuOzoAr
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 23, 2025
That lead was then doubled just over 20 minutes later as Dominik Szoboszlai gave Ederson the eyes and wrong-footed the Brazilian keeper to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Dominik Szoboszlai slots it home 🔥 pic.twitter.com/scGst1IueG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 23, 2025
Liverpool then sat back on that lead from then on, looking happy to just have 34% of possession as while City dominated the stats sheet with greater possession and shots, the never really threatened to score, especially without Erling Haaland who was out with an injury.
Liverpool even had a third goal through Curtis Jones chalked off for a correct but marginal VAR call which showed that Szoboszlai was just offside. As the heavens opened in Manchester Liverpool really showed the gulf in class between themselves and their rivals. Not since 1997-98 have a team had more than a 11-point lead and not win the league title, so it's really starting to look like the title race is all but wrapped up.
Carragher Signals Key Areas To Upgrade At Liverpool Despite Dominant Season
Many thought it would be a tougher transition from Jürgen Klopp to Arne Slot, especially with the lack of transfer business at Anfield last summer. However, Slot has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and has had a team built by Klopp looking like one of the best in Europe.
The quiet summer wasn't for a lack of trying as a move Martin Zubimendi fell through. Speaking on Sky Sports after Liverpools dominant win at City, Jamie Carragher pointed out that Slot probably already has players he will be looking to move on while also highlighting key positions in Liverpool's starting 11 that should be addressed in the summer.
But what I would say is that an exciting thing for Liverpool is Slot hasn't bought anyone, really. They bought Chiesa in at the last minute to mainly cover Salah if he was injured. Now, he's going to know this a lot better going into next season and if I'm being honest, he only uses 14 to 15 players. There's probably four or five players he doesn't rate in the squad. I'm not being critical, but he's probably thinking "okay, now I know what this team needs.
I think Liverpool can bring a left back in. I think they're going to bring in a centre forward in and an attacking midfield player. And I'm talking about actually get into the team, in sort of three areas and then maybe improve areas in the squad as well, so that's pretty exciting and you would imagine that Liverpool would have money to spend.
The great sides are always reinventing and never sit on their laurels. Constant tinkering and improving is what separates a good side to a dynasty. If he wouldn't be already, Slot has a chance to cement his name among the Liverpool greats if they can build on this year's success with a side that is probably not even at the peak of its potential.
