Kelvin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Raheem Sterling made the score sheet as Manchester City battered Liverpool 4-0 at the Ethiad Stadium despite giving the league champions a guard of honour before kickoff.
The encounter marked the setting and breaking of records for both clubs and players. Quite a few which never existed were established and a handful of existing ones were shattered.
Raheem Sterling scored his first career goal against Liverpool. Kevin De Bruyna made his 150th appearance for Manchester City, his 147th on the night and three for his former club Chelsea and Liverpool concede three first half goal for the first time since October 2017.
The clash started in an eventful style with Roberto Firmino breaking from the midfield, found Mohammed Salah who cuts in from right before aiming at the bottom conner, only to hit the woodwork and Sadio Mane could not keep up with the rebound.
Still and all, Joe Gomez put Liverpool in dark spot by designating his effort in contesting for Raheem Sterling’s shirt, eventually dragged him down and referee Anthony Taylor was there to point directly at the spot while De Bruyne converted it swiftly to put City in front.
Sterling double the lead in the 35th minute with a brilliant finish from Phil Foden’s pass who also found the net at the brink of half time to give City a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Jurgen Klopp’s men resumed the break hoping to begin with a consolation goal but rather received more infliction after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain deflected Sterling’s shot into his own goal.
Substitute Riyad Mahrez made it 5-0 at stoppage time but his clever strike was ruled off by VAR on account of Foden’s handball from the goal’s build up.
Anthony Taylor then separated both teams at full time and it is safe to say Liverpool owe Manchester City a guard of honour in return for their outstanding performance. The Sky Blues totally outclassed the league champions on Thursday night.
