MANCHESTER, England – Manchester City delivered a powerful statement in the English Premier League title race on Sunday, dismantling defending champions Liverpool 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium. The victory, achieved in manager Pep Guardiola's 1,000th career match, reduces the gap to league leaders Arsenal to just four points.

The result serves as a significant marker for City's ambitions while compounding a difficult league campaign for Liverpool, who now sit eighth in the standings, eight points adrift of the top. The match, closely followed by a large and passionate Premier League fanbase in Kenya, showcased the high stakes and shifting dynamics at the pinnacle of English football.

Match Summary

City asserted their dominance from the early stages of the match, held on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Despite an early penalty miss from star striker Erling Haaland, whose spot-kick was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, the home side remained relentless. The Norwegian forward soon made amends, opening the scoring in the 29th minute with a powerful header from a Matheus Nunes cross. This marked Haaland's 99th Premier League goal.

Liverpool appeared to have found an equaliser before halftime when captain Virgil van Dijk headed in from a Mohamed Salah corner. However, the goal was controversially disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after it was determined that Andy Robertson, in an offside position, had obstructed the view of City's goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Adding to Liverpool's frustrations, City doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time. A long-range shot from Nico Gonzalez took a crucial deflection off Van Dijk, wrong-footing Mamardashvili and finding the back of the net.

The second half saw City continue to control the tempo. The victory was sealed in the 63rd minute by winger Jeremy Doku, who was a constant threat to the Liverpool defence throughout the game. Doku, named man of the match, capped a superb individual performance with a stunning strike from outside the box.

Implications for the Title Race and Kenyan Viewership

This commanding 3-0 win positions Manchester City firmly as the primary challenger to Arsenal for the Premier League crown. For Liverpool, the defeat represents a significant setback, marking their fifth loss in the last six league games and raising questions about their ability to defend the title. The English Premier League is immensely popular in Kenya, with clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United commanding huge followings. High-stakes matches such as this are major events, followed avidly in homes and entertainment spots across the country, influencing local football conversations and betting trends.

Guardiola's Milestone

The match was a landmark occasion for Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, who oversaw his 1,000th game as a manager. The victory was his 716th in a storied career that includes successful spells at FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich before his tenure in Manchester. Guardiola expressed his pride in reaching the milestone, particularly against a rival as significant as Liverpool. The comprehensive performance from his team provided a fitting celebration for the decorated Spanish coach.