Manchester City Thrash Liverpool 3–0 as Guardiola Marks 1,000th Game in Style

Manchester City turned on the style at the Etihad on Sunday, sweeping aside arch-rivals Liverpool 3–0 in a performance that sent a strong message to their title rivals.

The win — Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th game as a manager — could not have come at a better time, as it moved City within four points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Having seen Arsenal drop points against Sunderland on Saturday, City stepped onto the pitch with intent. Though Erling Haaland missed an early penalty, he quickly made amends by heading home the opener.

City doubled their lead before the break when Nico Gonzalez’s powerful strike took a wicked deflection off Virgil van Dijk and nestled into the net.

The victory was sealed in the second half when Jeremy Doku, who tormented Liverpool’s backline all evening, curled in a stunning goal to cap off a Man-of-the-Match display.

The win lifts City to 22 points, while Liverpool remain stuck in eighth on 18 points, continuing their inconsistent run.

💭 Opinion: Guardiola Proves Once Again Why He’s Football’s Gold Standard

There are ordinary managers — and then there’s Pep Guardiola.
Reaching 1,000 games is remarkable enough, but doing it with a masterclass display against Liverpool is the stuff of legends.

Sunday’s game was a perfect reflection of Guardiola’s philosophy: intensity, control, and perfectionism. Even when Haaland missed his penalty, City didn’t flinch. They pressed, they created, and they punished.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s lack of sharpness and defensive lapses suggest a team still struggling to find its rhythm in this new era.

But beyond the tactics and scoreline, the night belonged to Guardiola — a man who continues to redefine modern football. And if this performance is a sign of what’s coming, the Premier League title race is far from over. 🏆💙