Doku Fires Man City to Statement Win Over Liverpool
Manchester City delivered a dominant performance at the Etihad Stadium, overpowering Liverpool 3-1 in a high-stakes Premier League showdown. Young winger Jérémy Doku stole the spotlight with a goal and an assist, proving pivotal in City’s commanding victory.
Doku’s Breakout Performance
Jérémy Doku announced himself as a rising star with a mesmerizing display against Liverpool’s defense. The 21-year-old Belgian tormented Trent Alexander-Arnold with his blistering pace and dribbling, opening the scoring in the 23rd minute with a composed finish.
His highlight moment came just before halftime—a dazzling solo run past two defenders followed by a pinpoint pass to Julián Álvarez, who tapped in for City’s second. Doku’s performance showcased why Pep Guardiola trusted him in this crucial fixture.
Liverpool’s Defensive Woes
Jurgen Klopp’s side struggled to contain City’s relentless attack. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté were repeatedly exposed, while Alexander-Arnold had one of his toughest defensive outings this season.
Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool hope with a sharp finish in the 55th minute, but Rodri’s long-range strike in the 72nd minute sealed the win for City. The Reds’ midfield lacked control, and injuries to key players like Alisson and Diogo Jota further hampered their chances.
Guardiola’s Tactical Brilliance
Pep Guardiola’s decision to start Doku over Jack Grealish paid off handsomely. City’s wing overloads and quick transitions exploited Liverpool’s high line, with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva also causing constant problems.
Klopp, meanwhile, will need to reassess his defensive structure after this defeat, which leaves Liverpool third in the table—four points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Title Race Heating Up
This victory narrows the gap between City and Arsenal to just two points, reigniting the defending champions’ title charge. With Doku hitting top form, City’s attack looks even more formidable as the season reaches its climax.
Player Ratings
- Man City: Ederson (7), Walker (7), Dias (8), Akanji (7), Gvardiol (7), Rodri (9*), Silva (8), Foden (8), Doku (9), Álvarez (8), Haaland (7)
- Liverpool: Kelleher (6), Alexander-Arnold (5), Van Dijk (6), Konaté (5), Tsimikas (6), Mac Allister (7), Szoboszlai (6), Gravenberch (5), Salah (7), Núñez (6), Gakpo (5)
What This Result Means
Doku’s emergence as a match-winner adds another dimension to City’s title defense, while Liverpool must regroup quickly to keep their hopes alive. With the Premier League race wide open, every point now carries massive significance.
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