City 4-0 Liverpool: Citizens thrash PL champs as Sterling involved in 3 goals

Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden were on target as Manchester City ran riot against an uncharacteristically poor Liverpool.

Match Reports

Liverpool's first game since being confirmed as Premier League champions did not go to plan as deposed title-holders Manchester City romped to a 4-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.

The Reds' first top-flight title in 30 years was confirmed when City lost to Chelsea last week and the celebrations of their long-awaited success perhaps caught up with Jurgen Klopp's side, who were ruthlessly dismantled by the rampant hosts. 

De Bruyne penalty and clinical finishes from Sterling and Phil Foden put the game to bed before half-time, while an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal in the second half added to the ignominy.

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Match Events

3' OFFSIDE! Jesus’ goal disallowed

Jesus calmly slots the ball past Alisson but was clearly offside and probably knew the flag was going to go up. A good finish from the Brazil forward, all the same.

25' Penalty Goal! Man City 1-0 Liverpool (De Bruyne)

De Bruyne sends the penalty into the bottom-left corner and Alisson guesses the wrong way. Last season's champions lead this season's champions!

35' GOAL! Man City 2-0 Liverpool (Sterling)

Foden has options either side after City turn over possession and chooses the right one by picking out Sterling to his left. He brings it back inside Gomez with a rather heavy first touch and beats Alisson with his second touch.

45' GOAL! Man City 3-0 Liverpool (Foden)

Klopp's men may well have hit the booze a little too hard last week - they are three goals down before half-time! Foden exchanges passes with De Bruyne and emphatically fires a shot past Alisson from 15 yards.

66' OWN GOAL! Man City 4-0 Liverpool (Oxlade-Chamberlain)

Alexander-Arnold is dispossessed by Mahrez and that sparks a City counter. Rodri digs out a pass for De Bruyne, who tees up Sterling to cut inside on his left and fire in a low effort. The shot appears to be heading wide but Oxlade-Chamberlain slides in to put the ball into his own net.

81' Mahrez's shot wide out

It is easy to forget now that Liverpool were the better side for the opening 20 minutes or so of the contest, even hitting the post through Salah's shot. Since then, though, there has only been one side in the game.

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