Manchester City Beat Liverpool 3-0 in Guardiola’s 1000th Game

Manchester City celebrated manager Pep Guardiola’s 1000th game in charge with a strong 3-0 victory over Liverpool. The win brought City within four points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, showing their determination to stay in the title race.

Erling Haaland had a mixed start to the match. He missed an early penalty after being fouled inside the box but quickly recovered to score the opening goal with a powerful header. The goal marked his 99th Premier League strike, putting City ahead and boosting team morale.

After taking the lead, City continued to dominate possession and pressure Liverpool’s defense. Nico Gonzalez doubled the advantage with a deflected shot that left the goalkeeper helpless. The goal came from sustained attacking play that highlighted City’s control and creativity.

Jeremy Doku added a third goal late in the match with a stunning effort from outside the box. His pace and skill caused problems for Liverpool throughout the game. The Belgian winger’s performance was one of his best for City and sealed a comfortable 3-0 win.

Liverpool, who had shown signs of improvement in recent matches, failed to match City’s intensity. The team’s defense struggled to handle Doku’s speed, while their attack missed key opportunities. Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah both failed to convert good chances, leaving Liverpool frustrated.

The match had an early moment of controversy when the referee awarded City a penalty after a VAR review. However, Liverpool’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Haaland’s spot-kick. Later, Liverpool thought they had equalized through Virgil van Dijk, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Arsenal’s draw against Sunderland earlier in the weekend gave City a chance to close the gap. With this win, City moved to within four points of the top spot, keeping their title hopes alive. Liverpool, on the other hand, slipped to eighth place after losing four of their last five league matches.

After the match, Guardiola praised his players for their focus and teamwork. He said the victory was a reflection of their hard work and dedication. The manager also thanked fans for their support throughout his long career, calling the win a “perfect way to celebrate 1000 games.”

Manchester City have now won 11 of their last 14 games in all competitions. Their attack looks sharp, and their defense remains solid. With players like Haaland, Doku, and Gonzalez performing at their best, City appear ready to challenge Arsenal for the title once again.

For Liverpool, this defeat raised concerns about their consistency. Manager Arne Slot admitted that his team needs to improve in both attack and defense. The decision to leave expensive signing Alexander Isak on the bench also drew criticism as Liverpool struggled to score.

Manchester City’s 3-0 win was a statement performance. It showed their experience, depth, and determination to defend their Premier League crown. For Guardiola, it was a memorable way to mark his milestone — a night of celebration, dominance, and renewed belief in City’s title ambitions.