Guardiola marks 1,000th game as Manchester City crush Liverpool to shreds

Manchester City delivered a ruthless display at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, leaving Liverpool completely outplayed as they dismantled Arne Slot’s strategy with clinical precision, a perfect way to mark Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th game as a manager.

Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 29th minute, heading home a pinpoint cross from Matheus Nunes. Just before halftime, Nico González doubled City’s lead with a superb strike set up by Bernardo Silva, leaving the visitors reeling. Jeremy Doku added a third in the 63rd minute, sealing a dominant performance and extinguishing any hopes of a Liverpool comeback.

From the first whistle, City dictated the game. Liverpool struggled to impose themselves, with key players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk kept quiet by City’s high-intensity pressing and tactical discipline. Gianluigi Donnarumma, in goal for City, was barely tested, while Reds’ attempts at attacking transitions were repeatedly cut out.

City’s precision on the break and control in midfield exposed Liverpool’s frailties. Shamoon Hafez, reporting live from the Etihad, noted:

“City are not just winning; they are dismantling Liverpool. Slot’s tactics have been ripped apart today.”

Liverpool made several substitutions — including the introduction of Federico Chiesa, Joe Gomez, and Curtis Jones — in a bid to stem the tide, but City’s dominance never wavered. Jeremy Doku, in particular, drew praise for his relentless runs and creativity, earning a standing ovation when he was subbed off.

Former striker Dion Dublin said:

“City are returning to where they believe they should be, competing at the very top. Today, they’ve shown Liverpool exactly why.”

The result also marks a memorable milestone for Pep Guardiola, who reached 1,000 games in management with a resounding statement victory, underscoring his continued dominance at the top of the game.

With Arsenal having dropped points against Sunderland over the weekend, City’s emphatic performance puts them in a strong position to close the gap at the top of the Premier League.