Manchester City extended their perfect start to the season by beating Liverpool, handing Andoni Iraola his first defeat as Liverpool manager. Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki all scored, and Liverpool were reduced to ten men after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off for a second yellow card.
Haaland gave City the lead with an emphatic finish, having missed a big chance early in the second half. Doku, who had come on for Iliman Ndiaye in the 56th minute, added a stunning strike, with Elliot Anderson providing the assist. Cherki then finished with a lovely goal to complete the win.
Liverpool had started brightly, and Victor Munoz was a constant threat down the flank, causing Nico O’Reilly all sorts of problems. Lewis Koumas, 21, made his first Premier League start and was loved by the Anfield crowd for his energetic display. Gravenberch, who came in for the injured Dominik Szoboszlai, was Liverpool’s best player until his dismissal.
City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had a shaky start but made a string of good saves early in the second half to deny Koumas and Gravenberch and keep the game level. Once Liverpool were down to ten men, City’s attack, including Anderson, Semenyo and Haaland, was simply too strong for the visitors.
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson (5): Could do nothing to keep out Haaland’s strike, then was beaten by a beauty from Doku and some solid footwork from Cherki.
Ronald Araujo (5): Picked up a cheap yellow card early on and will be annoyed that the first two City goals came from his side.
Virgil van Dijk (6): Often pushed out of position to help Liverpool deal with being outnumbered in midfield. Perhaps could have closed down Haaland more quickly.
Jeremy Jacquet (6): Not a bad display from a young talent who is very impressive, though this will have been a real eye-opener against a quality City attack.
Milos Kerkez (5): Battled well with Ndiaye and pushed up regularly but lacked quality in the final third.
Alexis Mac Allister (5): Grew into the game and put in a good shift but struggled once Liverpool went down to ten men.
Ryan Gravenberch (6): Came in for the injured Szoboszlai and was Liverpool’s best player until he was sent off for a second yellow card. Naive on his part.
Victor Munoz (7): Played with real fearlessness and was an absolute nuisance for City.
Florian Wirtz (4): Simply has to do better, particularly in games of this magnitude. Was largely ineffective and made some poor decisions.
Bradley Barcola (5): Sharp on the ball and did his defensive duties, but like Wirtz, must do more in the final third.
Lewis Koumas (7): Got stuck in from the outset in an energetic display on his first Premier League start.
Manchester City player ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma (7): Had a shaky start but made a string of good saves early in the second half to keep the game level.
Matheus Nunes (7): An impressive display, including a great tackle in the box to deny Barcola in the first half.
Ruben Dias (7): Did well to weather the early storm and keep Liverpool out.
Marc Guehi (7): Like Dias, gave a strong performance at centre-half and can take satisfaction from the way City defended, especially when Liverpool attacked The Kop end.
Nico O’Reilly (6): Solid going forward but had his work cut out against Munoz and was inevitably booked for fouling him in the second half.
Elliot Anderson (7): Always showed for the ball and was constantly involved. Lucky not to be booked for pulling Gravenberch back, and got the assist for Doku.
Enzo Fernandez (6): Forced Alisson into a good stop in the first half but did not really grow into the game until Gravenberch was sent off.
Iliman Ndiaye (6): Dangerous on the ball and had a few threatening moments before being replaced by Doku.
Rayan Cherki (8): Capped off a day to remember for City with a lovely goal.
Antoine Semenyo (7): Threatening all afternoon and part of an attack that was simply too good for Liverpool once City had the man advantage.
Erling Haaland (8): Had a quiet first half and missed a huge chance early in the second, but finished emphatically to give City the lead.
Jeremy Doku (8): Came on and scored an absolute belter.