Liverpool down Man Metropolis to open up 11-point hole on reigning champions

Liverpool went 11 factors away from defending Premier League champions Manchester Metropolis following a 2-0 win over their title rivals because of objectives from Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah.

The Reds began in lightning trend, piling ahead in numbers, and Virgil van Dijk was solely denied by the woodwork. Nonetheless, Liverpool had been rewarded with a Twelfth-minute opener as Salah’s inviting ball was completed by Gakpo.

Van Dijk was a towering presence at each ends and despatched a strong header simply over as Liverpool continued to dominate the primary half.

It took 39 minutes for Metropolis to have their solely effort within the first half as Rico Lewis despatched an effort off-target.

Salah blazed a one-on-one effort over within the second half as Metropolis gained perception however didn’t have makes an attempt on aim.

Metropolis’s hopes had been successfully ended 12 minutes from time when goalkeeper Stefan Ortega introduced down Luis Diaz and Salah completed from the penalty spot.

Liverpool at the moment are 9 factors away from Arsenal on the summit of the Premier League and 11 forward of fifth-placed Manchester Metropolis.

Slot’s aspect now have away checks at Newcastle United and Everton as they bid to proceed their profitable run.

In the meantime, Metropolis look to show round a run of 4 Premier League defeats once they host Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening.

Salah supplied an ideal help for Gakpo for the opening aim after which stored his calm to attain a late penalty to seal the win.

The Egyptian has now scored 11 Premier League objectives this season with a lot of them essential to their success.

Nonetheless, the 32-year-old retains sending message to the membership’s hierarchy that he may depart in the summertime with out a contract.

The 33-year-old defender had among the best matches of his stellar profession to fully stifle the Metropolis assault and Haaland.

Van Dijk additionally contributed at set items along with his first effort crashing in opposition to the submit and having a header which flew over.

Nonetheless, it was his defensive work which pissed off Metropolis with the defending Premier League champions having only one shot on aim within the opening 45 minutes.

Haaland has 12 Premier League objectives to his title this season however didn’t have a significant effort in opposition to a cussed defensive show.

Liverpool: Kelleher 8, Alexander-Arnold 8, Gomez 7, Van Dijk 8, Robertson 7, Gravenberch 7, Mac Allister 7, Salah 8, Szoboszlai 7, Diaz 7, Gakpo 7. Subs: Elliott 6, Jones 6, Nunez 6, Quansah 6.

Manchester Metropolis: Ortega 8, Walker 6, Dias 6, Akanji 7, Ake 7, Lewis 7, Gundogan 7, Silva 6, Foden 7, Nunes 6, Haaland 6. Subs: De Bruyne 6, Doku 7, Grealish 6, Savinho 6

11’ – VAN DIJK RATTLES POST: Liverpool are inches from taking the lead as Van Dijk smashes an effort off the woodwork.

12’ –GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1 (GAKPO) MANCHESTER CITY 0: Salah cuts in from out large after which sends an inviting low ball into the again submit the place Gakpo is ready to attain the opener.

18’ –VAN DIJK HEADS WIDE: Alexander-Arnold sends a stupendous ball into the trail of Salah on the shoulder of Ake and the Metropolis man concedes a nook. The ensuing set piece finds the pinnacle of Van Dijk, who heads large.

39’ –LEWIS GOES CLOSE: Metropolis have their first likelihood as aim as Haaland cuts the ball again to Lewi,s whose low effort beats Kelleher but additionally sneaks large of the submit.

57’ –SALAH BIG CHANCE IS OVER: Liverpool capitalise on an Akanji error and Salah is totally free and in on aim. Nonetheless, the Egyptian lifts his effort over. It’s a giant miss.

78’ – GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2 (SALAH) MANCHESTER CITY 0: Salah strokes residence the penalty into the underside nook out of the attain of Ortega. The penalty got here after Ortega introduced down Diaz. Liverpool are out of sight.