Man City 3-0 Liverpool Player Ratings: Doku Rated 9.5/10 as He Dazzles in a 3-0 Demolition

The verdict is on you if you felt that Manchester City played better today or it was Liverpool’s gameplay which made them look like a mid-table team and not the defending champions.

The game, which happened at the Etihad Stadium, started with City’s dominance, while the Reds were nowhere to be seen on the pitch except for three chances. As shown in the stats, the chances created by City were far more than those of Liverpool in the first half.

City’s dominance was evident from the start. They pressed with intensity and moved the ball with a purpose that Liverpool simply couldn't match. The breakthrough came from Erling Haaland, who nodded home a cross to give his side a deserved lead. The real killer blow however arrived just before the break. A stunning long-range strike from Nico González doubled the advantage and seemed to break Liverpool's spirit.

The second half was more of the same. The absolute star of the show and our player of the match match Jeremy Doku, terrorized the Liverpool defense all afternoon. His incredible solo goal in the 63rd minute was the cherry on top of a masterful performance, sealing a comprehensive match victory. Liverpool offered very little in response, looking a shadow of their usual selves and leaving their fans with plenty to worry about.

Here are Man City Vs Liverpool Player Ratings

Man City Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Here are Man City Player Ratings vs Liverpool

Goalkeeper

Gianluigi Donnarumma - 7.0: A very comfortable afternoon for the keeper. He wasn't tested much but made a crucial save from a Szoboszlai strike in the second half. Maintained his concentration well and commanded his box when needed. A clean sheet is a clean sheet, and he earned it without breaking a sweat. From our perspective, his distribution was also quick and efficient.

Defenders

Matheus Nunes - 8.0: Played in a defensive role and was absolutely superb. Provided a perfect cross for Haaland's opening goal. He was a rock at the back, winning most of his duels and making crucial tackles. What stood out to us was his engine, getting up and down the flank tirelessly. A complete performance that really caught our eye.

Rúben Dias - 7.5: The typical composed and dominant display from the Portuguese defender. He made a vital last-man tackle and his positioning was impeccable throughout. He marshaled the backline with authority. Liverpool's forwards found no joy against him. A quiet but extremely effective game, just how he likes it.

Nico O'Reilly - 7.5: An impressive outing for the defender, capped with an assist for Doku's goal. He was defensively active, although his tackle success rate could be better. Showed great attacking intent and his delivery for the third goal was spot on. A performance full of energy and promise, though a first-half injury scare was a worry.

Josko Gvardiol - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular game. He was strong in the air and made a few important clearances. However, we noticed he was a bit loose in possession, giving the ball away more than his teammates. One error led to a shot, which slightly tarnishes an otherwise decent defensive display. Still, part of a unit that kept a clean sheet.

Midfielders

Nico González - 8.5: What a performance. Absolutely bossed the midfield from start to finish. His goal just before halftime was a thing of beauty, a perfectly struck shot from distance. Beyond the goal, he was immense, winning duels, making tackles, and dictating play. He picked up a yellow card but it didn't slow him down. He was everywhere.

Bernardo Silva - 7.0: The little magician was at his busy best. He grabbed an assist for González's goal from a corner. His work rate was phenomenal as always, though he was sometimes a bit too aggressive, earning a yellow card. Kept possession ticking over beautifully for City, linking defense and attack seamlessly. A typically industrious performance.

Phil Foden - 7.0: Not his most explosive game, but he was neat and tidy throughout. His passing was crisp and he was involved in some nice buildup play. He created a great chance for O'Reilly that was narrowly missed. Did his defensive duties well. It felt like he was playing within himself, but his class was still evident.

Forwards

Rayan Cherki - 6.5: Had some bright moments before being substituted early in the second half. He got into good positions and had a couple of shots blocked. However, he struggled to make a decisive impact and was sometimes careless with the ball. A decent shift but the game passed him by a little.

Jérémy Doku - 9.5: Man of the Match, and it wasn't even close. An absolutely electrifying performance. He scored a fantastic goal, won a penalty, and completed an astounding seven dribbles. He was a nightmare for Conor Bradley, who couldn't get near him. Every time he got the ball, you felt something was going to happen. Simply unplayable.

Erling Haaland - 7.0: A mixed bag for the big striker. He scored a classic poacher's header to open the scoring. However, the stats show he also missed a penalty and another big chance, which is uncharacteristic. He still led the line effectively and his presence alone caused problems. A goal is a goal, but he'll feel he could have had more.

Substitutes

Savinho - 6.0: Came on for Cherki and showed some nice touches but didn't have a major impact on the game.

Omar Marmoush - 6.0: Replaced the brilliant Doku and had little time to influence proceedings.

Manager

Josep Guardiola - 8.5: His game plan worked to perfection. His team selection was spot on, and the decision to unleash Doku on Liverpool's right flank was a masterstroke. City looked prepared, hungry, and utterly dominant from the first whistle to the last. A tactical clinic.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs Man City

Here are Liverpool Player Ratings vs Man City

Goalkeeper

Giorgi Mamardashvili - 5.5: A tough day at the office. Conceded three goals, but it's hard to blame him for any of them. He actually made a penalty save and a couple of other decent stops to prevent the scoreline from being even worse. However, conceding the penalty in the first place brings his rating down. He was left exposed by a shambolic defense.

Defenders

Conor Bradley - 4.5: A torrid, torrid afternoon for the young full-back. He was absolutely tormented by Jérémy Doku. Picked up a yellow card for a desperate foul and was dribbled past multiple times. To his credit, he never stopped trying and won a few duels, but this was a brutal lesson for him. He was mercifully substituted.

Ibrahima Konaté - 5.0: Looked unsettled and shaky throughout. Part of a central defensive pairing that was pulled apart by City's movement. Lost more duels than he won and struggled to cope with Haaland's physicality and the runners from midfield. Not a performance he will want to remember. We expected much more from him.

Virgil van Dijk - 5.5: The captain couldn't organize his chaotic backline. He made a few important clearances but looked a step off the pace. This wasn't the commanding Virgil van Dijk we're used to seeing. He seemed unable to stop the tide as City poured forward. A deeply disappointing performance from a world-class player.

Andrew Robertson - 6.0: One of the few who emerged with a sliver of credit. He was solid enough during his time on the pitch before being subbed off. He won all his tackles and tried to get forward. His influence was limited, but he didn't make any glaring errors unlike some of his teammates.

Midfielders

Alexis Mac Allister - 4.5: Completely anonymous and overrun in the midfield battle. Picked up a deserved yellow card for a cynical foul. He offered nothing going forward and was bypassed with ease defensively. It was no surprise to see him substituted. A really poor day from the World Cup winner.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 6.0: At least he tried. He was one of the few Liverpool players who looked like they might create something. Forced a good save from Donnarumma with a long-range effort. However, his efforts were undermined by a high number of turnovers, losing the ball 15 times. A lot of effort for very little end product.

Ryan Gravenberch - 5.0: Another midfielder who was a passenger for much of the game. He was weak in the challenge, winning only two of his nine duels, and his passing was safe and ineffective. He offered no support to his defense and no creativity for his attack. A performance that will do little to secure his place in the team.

Florian Wirtz - 5.5: We expected so much more from the creative midfielder. He had a couple of shots but they were blocked easily. He drifted around the pitch looking for space but was well-marshalled by City's defense. A frustrating game where he just couldn't impose his talent on proceedings.

Forwards

Mohamed Salah - 5.0: A deeply frustrating afternoon for the Egyptian king. His movement was poor, getting caught offside an incredible four times. He missed a big chance and his final ball was lacking. While he created a couple of half-chances, this was far from the standard we expect from him. He looked completely out of sorts.

Hugo Ekitiké - 5.0: A ghost. He had just 11 touches before being hooked in the second half. He was completely isolated and made absolutely no impact on the match. It's hard to be too critical when the service was non-existent, but he offered nothing to change that.

Substitutes

Milos Kerkez - 5.5: Came on for Robertson but couldn't change the flow of the game.

Cody Gakpo - 5.5: Missed a decent chance shortly after coming on. Looked lively but lacked composure.

Curtis Jones - 6.0: Brought some calm to the midfield but the game was already lost.

Federico Chiesa - N/A: Not on long enough to rate.

Joe Gomez - N/A: Came on late to see the game out.

Manager

A. Slot - 4.0: His team looked lost from the very beginning. The tactics were all wrong, with the high line being brutally exposed by City's pace. His side lacked fight, ideas, and defensive solidity. The substitutions did little to change the game's trajectory. A very, very bad day at the office for the manager.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Doku