Man City deliver masterclass on Pep Guardiola’s milestone day to expose Liverpool’s troubles

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The universe had decided that Liverpool would be the opponents on Pep Guardiola’s landmark day, he had said. It was a grand day for Guardiola, in every sense.Guardiola’s first 999 games had contained victories over many a manager, but not Arne Slot.

Missed penalties against Liverpool have been an oddly regular recurrence in Guardiola’s reign. Mamardashvili may cherish memories of his penalty save from Haaland, but few others in the champions’ camp had much to enjoy.Nico Gonzalez celebrates after scoring City's second goal (Action Images via Reuters)Jeremy Doku was sensational and capped his performance with a goal (Getty Images)If Slot had looked to pack the middle of the pitch to halt City, he argued Guardiola’s side still had extra men there.

A cross brought the breakthrough when Matheus Nunes’ ball flicked off Ibrahima Konate and then looped in off Haaland’s head; even without knowing much about it, he could find the corner of the net.City doubled their lead when Gonzalez’s drive was deflected in off Virgil van Dijk’s heel; Liverpool had scored against Aston Villa a week earlier when a shot from their midfielder, Ryan Gravenberch, from a similar distance had taken a sizeable touch off an opposition centre-back. “It has been nice playing against them and seeing Virgil and Roberson and Mohamed Salah, who have been in a thousand million battles, and hopefully will be more and more,” he said.So Guardiola, the manager who has won more and more, goes on, his chances of a seventh Premier League title enhanced as the champions’ defence of their crown is all but over.