Simply in case there was any doubt that the steadiness of Premier League energy had shifted — away from Manchester Metropolis, towards the one membership that has interrupted Metropolis’s trendy reign — Liverpool proved the purpose with authority Sunday at Anfield.
They beat Metropolis 2-0, and the best proof of the shift is now the EPL desk. The Reds lead by a whopping 9 factors, with Metropolis 11 factors again in fifth place.
However the perfect proof was everywhere in the Anfield pitch. Liverpool mauled the for a lot of the 90 minutes. Within the first half, they extinguished a once-prolific Metropolis assault by swarming the ball, biting into tackles, and repelling any try and construct possession earlier than Metropolis had even reached midfield.
The house aspect scored inside 12 minutes, through Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and at last Cody Gakpo.
They usually actually ought to have scored extra. Virgil van Dijk pinged the submit with one header; he narrowly missed with two others.
Gakpo and Salah skied nice possibilities. As a collective, by means of 60 minutes, the Reds had created 2.3 Anticipated Objectives (xG) — a measure of probability high quality and amount — to Metropolis’s 0.2.
Metropolis steadied all through the second half. However on 78 minutes, a Salah penalty sealed the deal. And over 90 minutes, the one-way stream of visitors was overwhelming, and the conclusion clear.
As a result of this was not only one recreation. It was a continuation and convergence of two distinct developments: whereas , Liverpool has soared to the highest of the league. Each developments appear sustainable; neither has proven indicators of abating; and so, till additional discover, that is how the steadiness of Premier League energy is.
The Reds, beneath new coach Arne Slot, have meshed probably the most devastating points of Jurgen Klopp’s heavy-metal soccer with technical high quality, opportunistic counter-attacking and spectacular management. They’ve now gained seven straight in all competitions. They’ve established themselves because the 2024-25 title favorites, and probably the most full staff within the league.
Metropolis, alternatively, have now misplaced 4 straight within the league. They haven’t gained in seven video games throughout all competitions — the longest winless run of Pep Guardiola’s managerial profession. They appear flawed and outdated, like a fallen energy clinging to battle plans that banged-up troopers can not execute.
They’ve been weak with out Rodri, the Ballon d’Or winner whose ACL tore in September.
They’ve sputtered within the closing third, with Erling Haaland’s supporting forged trying quite abnormal.
They’ve failed to interchange Rodri or modify with out him. They’ve didn’t acclimatize to their new actuality. They’ve didn’t recalibrate a staff that after bossed video games and hummed up and down the sector like a well-oiled machine.
As all of that crystallized Sunday beneath the lights at Anfield, joyous Liverpool followers sang to Guardiola: “You are getting sacked within the morning! Sacked within the mooooorning!”
Guardiola smiled, and, in response, held up six fingers — presumably one for every of the Premier League titles he has gained.
Liverpool followers, although, sauntered off into the Mersyside night time realizing that No. 7 most likely will not be coming to Guardiola’s trophy cupboard, and to Manchester Metropolis, anytime quickly.
