It was a game that had so much more to it than a football match. Liverpool fans brought cheating banners, City fans brought bananas to mock their charges – but, ultimately, the Premier League leaders brought their A-game.
Underneath all the off-field chaos, there was indeed a football match taking place. And it was a good one, until Ryan Gravenberch was sent off.
Liverpool went blow-for-blow with Enzo Maresca’s City, whose future remains uncertain. ‘Going down,’ the Liverpool fans chanted – they may well be, but, for now, they are the league’s best.
Gravenberch was given his marching orders in the 62nd minute, and Liverpool couldn’t cope after. City upped the tempo, and scored three goals, celebrating as if nothing was going on off the field.
Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki were all on the scoresheet as City carried on their 100 per cent record. Liverpool, meanwhile, have two wins from their six games so far, and are ninth in the standings.
Daily Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE was at Anfield to rate the players.
Erling Haaland (centre) was on the scoresheet as Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1)
Alisson – 6
Could do nothing about any of City’s goals. Had little to do beforehand but his presence put off Haaland at 0-0.
Ronald Araujo – 5
Played fine overall but Doku and Co gave him the run-around when they started to fly forward after the red card. Booked.
Jeremy Jacquet – 6
Made some fine interventions in the first-half and has been a strong addition to Liverpool’s team.
Virgil van Dijk – 5
Slow to react at times and none of Liverpool’s defenders could cope with City when they had the man advantage. Booked.
Milos Kerkez – 5
Made some powerful runs forward but struggled defensively, which happens all too often for the Hungary international.
Milos Kerkez (right) was good going forwards but once again struggled defensively
Ryan Gravenberch was having his best game this season until an unnecessary red card
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Was enjoying his best afternoon of the season until he was sent off. The first yellow was harsh but the second was correct and he should have known better than to make the foul.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Like midfield partner Gravenberch, the Argentine had a couple of chances to score but had two shots that went inches wide.
Victor Munoz – 7
Liverpool’s best player and a constant nuisance. A rather unknown figure before he signed for the club, Munoz is outshining his big-money team-mates.
Florian Wirtz – 4
Another big game that has gone by without a meaningful moment from £116million Wirtz. Made the wrong decision in the big moments time and again.
Bradley Barcola – 5
Had one or two nice moments but Iraola will be demanding much more from the £123million signing. Has not got going in a red shirt yet.
Lewis Koumas – 7
Like a rash with relentless running, which Iraola will love. This was his first Premier League start and it will not be his last if he carries on impressing like this.
Lewis Koumas didn’t stop running and will be enjoying plenty more Premier League minutes if he keeps that up
Manager
Andoni Iraola – 6
His team were well in the game until the red card which ended the contest. Might have done better if not for injuries, too.
Substitutes
Trey Nyoni (for Wirtz, 66) – 6
Jeremie Frimpong (for Araujo, 75) – 4
Rio Ngumoha (for Koumas, 75) – 5
Joe Gomez (for Jacquet, 88)
Federico Chiesa (for Barcola, 88)
MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7
Made two strong saves in the space of seconds during Liverpool’s best spell of the game. Commanding at claiming set-pieces.
Matheus Nunes – 7
Pocketed £123million man Barcola for the most part and seems an integral member of Maresca’s side.
Ruben Dias – 7
A captain’s performance from Dias, who could be seen giving mini team talks to his troops during the game.
Marc Guehi – 6
A few shaky moments early doors but settled and produced a confident display as ever.
Nico O’Reilly – 6
Munoz gave him a tough time but O’Reilly made some fine defensive interventions. Good running going the other way but his final ball was lacking. Booked.
Victor Munoz (right) have Nico O’Reilly a tough afternoon but the City man coped well overall
Enzo Fernandez – 7
A tenacious player who has breathed new life into City’s midfield that looked leggy at times last season.
Elliot Anderson – 9
An outstanding footballer who could be the main man for City for the next decade if it was not for pending punishments. Ran the game and seemed to be first to every loose ball.
Iliman Ndiaye – 6
Double trouble for the Senegal international, who was not just a rival player but also an ex-Evertonian. Struggled to affect the game.
Rayan Cherki – 8
Sensational goal and is one of the most exciting players in the Premier League, the sort that kids will want to emulate on the playground.
Antoine Semenyo – 7
Another bright light for City, Semenyo gave his old boss Iraola a few headaches down both wings.
Erling Haaland – 7
Barely noticeable but came up with the all-important moment that opened the scoring. How often does he do that?
Manager
Enzo Maresca – 8
Got his tactics spot on as City weathered the early storm and then started to thrive after the red card.
Enzo Maresca got his tactics spot on with his team excelling after Gravenberch’s red card
Substitutes
Jeremy Doku (for Ndiaye, 56) – 8
Josko Gvardiol (for O’Reilly, 66) – 7
Allan (for Haaland, 80)
Ayyoub Bouaddi (for Fernandez, 80)
Rulli, Khusanov, Kovacic, Lewis, Reis.
Referee
Chris Kavanagh – 4
The red card ruined the game. The second yellow was right but the first was harsh.
