Liverpool secured an important 2-0 victory over Manchester Metropolis at Anfield, placing them 9 factors clear on the high of the Premier League.
Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah had been the heroes, with every discovering the web to make sure the hosts claimed all three factors.
The sport started at a frenetic tempo, with Liverpool instantly taking the initiative.
The Reds almost broke the impasse within the eleventh minute when Virgil van Dijk’s highly effective header from a nook rattled the submit.
Nevertheless, it didn’t take lengthy for Liverpool to capitalise on their dominance. Only a minute later, an excellent transfer down the fitting noticed Trent Alexander-Arnold thread a exact move to Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian, as an alternative of taking pictures, selflessly squared the ball to Cody Gakpo, who slotted dwelling from shut vary to present Liverpool an early 1-0 lead.
GET IN THEREEE!!!!! 🤩🔴 #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/NEhKA1wIhb
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 1, 2024
Manchester Metropolis, subdued within the first half, struggled to seek out their rhythm.
Pep Guardiola’s facet was restricted to speculative efforts, with a uncommon likelihood falling to Rico Lewis within the thirty ninth minute, however his shot drifted large.
The Reds entered the break with a well-deserved lead, having outplayed their guests in almost each division.
Guardiola made changes on the break, introducing recent legs in Jeremy Doku and Savinho to inject tempo and creativity into Metropolis’s assault.
The guests noticed extra of the ball however lacked the leading edge to really check Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
👑 pic.twitter.com/JWGjDwcHPG
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 1, 2024
The turning level got here within the 77th minute when Darwin Nunez, lately launched in its place, pressured Metropolis’s defence right into a mistake.
Manuel Akanji’s weak header again to goalkeeper Stefan Ortega allowed Luis DÃaz to pounce.
Ortega’s determined lunge introduced Diaz down contained in the field, leaving the referee no selection however to level to the spot.
Salah stepped up and coolly transformed the penalty, doubling Liverpool’s benefit and all however securing the victory.
Tempers flared late within the sport as Salah and Bernardo Silva exchanged phrases following a contentious problem, however the scenario was shortly defused.
Manchester Metropolis’s frustrations had been compounded when Kevin De Bruyne, launched in its place, was denied by an outstanding double save from Kelleher within the 83rd minute.
