Liverpool ruthlessly dispatched Manchester City in a 2-0 win to extend their lead to 11 points at the top of the Premier League table.
It was the holders versus the league leaders in Manchester and the latter managed to triumph at the Etihad Stadium, their first league victory at the venue since 2015.
Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah gave the Reds an unassailable lead in the first half. The second period saw City desperately try to breach the Liverpool resistance but the champions-elect were too resolute and eased to the three points.
UP THE REDS ✊🔴 #MCILIV pic.twitter.com/UwHfBoO7Eg
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 23, 2025
There were plenty of pleasing individual performances for Arne Slot. Here’s how we rated each display.
Liverpool Player Ratings vs Manchester City
Alisson – 6
A comfortable afternoon’s work for Alisson who was rarely threatened by City’s offence. The goalkeeper had to stay alert to catch a plethora of attempts from range.
A deserved seventh league clean sheet of the campaign for the Brazilian stopper.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6.5
Another game that epitomised Alexander-Arnold’s strengths and weaknesses.
The full-back wasn’t comfortable up against the silky Jeremy Doku with the Belgian trickster often bypassing him.
However, he showed great enthusiasm to consistently overlap Salah. In one particular foray forward, auxiliary striker Curtis Jones had peeled off well but his fellow Scouser failed to find him.
A signature pass in behind from the Englishman fashioned the opening for the second goal. He effortlessly stroked the ball over 40 yards into the path of Salah who broke at speed before finding Szoboszlai.
Ibrahima Konate – 8
A quintessential ‘ no-nonsense’ display from the imperious central defender. Konate threw his body in the way of numerous crosses from Doku. The stoic Frenchman was seen engaging with the away crowd after making one of those blocks. Konate has quickly emerged as an essential player in Liverpool’s pursuit of a second Premier League title.
Virgil van Dijk – 7.5
His sheer presence alone deterred the likes of Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush from challenging him. The Liverpool captain’s intelligence allowed him to consistently be in the right place at the right time.
Van Dijk crucially intervened to stop Savinho’s cross from reaching Marmoush in the second half, who would have had a tap-in.
Andy Robertson – 7
It was a quiet afternoon’s work for the full-back as he was rarely troubled by Savinho.
Robertson was faultless in possession and ventured forward when required. He was replaced by Kostas Tsimikas with a quarter of an hour remaining with Slot having one eye on their game against Newcastle on Wednesday.
Ryan Gravenberch – 7.5
Gravenberch disrupted any flow in the City midfield in yet another industrious display this season.
The Dutchman perfectly complements the attributes of Alexis Mac Allister. The midfielder burst forward when the opportunity arose and protected the backline when their goal was under siege.
He split the City defence apart with a pass into Szoboszlai that was agonisingly close to being perfectly timed. The move ended with Jones finding the back of the net, but there was an offside offence in the build-up.
Alexis Mac Allister – 7.5
Instigated the inventive set-piece which resulted in Salah’s goal. It was a simple yet effective pass into Szoboszlai whose flick assisted the opener.
The Argentine required treatment after being on the end of a heavy landing from Marmoush after City’s disallowed goal. The diminutive midfielder recovered quickly and controlled the second half alongside his midfield partner Gravenberch.
Mohamed Salah – 9
Another devastating showing from Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool cement their spot at the top of the table.
Inevitably, it was Liverpool’s ‘Egyptian King’ that struck the first goal. A fantastic set-piece routine saw Szoboszlai find Salah on the edge of the box. There was a touch of fortune about the shot as it took a heavy nick off Nathan Ake. But, the goal undeniably belonged to Salah and took his total to 25 for the league season.
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
Salah then returned the favour to Szoboszlai by teeing up his teammate who ruthlessly drilled a shot past Ederson. The winger had Josko Gvardiol and Ake at his mercy on multiple occasions.
After the interval, he continued to wreak havoc but couldn’t quite add to his goal and assist from the first half. Two more goal contributions this season for the irrepressible forward.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 9
It was an instrumental display from the Hungarian and his partnership with Salah this afternoon proved unstoppable.
The midfielder continued his fine form for the Reds by doubling Liverpool’s lead. A driven strike flat-footed Ederson and nestled into the net.
Dominik Szoboszlai slots it home 🔥 pic.twitter.com/scGst1IueG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 23, 2025
Szoboszlai also played a crucial part in his side’s first goal as he assisted Salah. It was an instinctive pass from the Hungarian skipper, a movement that had clearly been practised at the training ground.
The former RB Leipzig man thought he had created a third goal for his team. But, after a VAR check, it was deemed he was marginally offside in the build-up. He also could’ve recorded his second of the contest in the second period but Ruben Dias got across to block the shot.
Curtis Jones – 7
It was a different position for the midfielder this evening as he was spotted picking up areas typically reserved for a striker. With no recognised frontman on the pitch, Jones was the individual pressing Ederson and providing an option centrally.
The boyhood Liverpool fan had the simple task of tapping in what everyone thought was Liverpool’s third. However, the goal was ruled out after Szoboszlai had strayed millimetres offside prior to sliding the ball into his path. Jones was taken off for Wataru Endo for the last 15 minutes with Slot looking to preserve their advantage.
Luis Diaz – 6.5
Diaz played his part in a free-flowing Liverpool side that was tactically set up to counter-attack.
The Colombian forced a smart stop from Ederson with a curling attempt that was destined for the top corner.
Substitutes
Kostas Tsimikas – 6
With Savinho growing in confidence, Tsmikas’s fresh legs were the perfect remedy to combat any potential danger from the winger.
Wataru Endo – 7
The 32-year-old’s introduction solidified the visitors’ resistance. Endo’s aggressive and fearless approach to the game helped his side see out the remainder of the match.
Cody Gakpo – N/A
Gakpo featured in the closing stages after missing the last two games with a knock.
Harvey Elliott – N/A
Elliott entered the fray in second-half stoppage-time and replaced Salah who received a standing ovation from the travelling support.
Jarell Quansah N/A
Quansah was only on the pitch for a few minutes after replacing Alexander-Arnold.
