Arsenal’s defeat to West Ham on Saturday was cause for celebration on Merseyside, but Arne Slot knew that to take full advantage his side needed to win at a stadium where they have done so just once in the last 15 attempts.
But this isn’t quite the same City as has graced the league in recent years, and the away end was sent into pandemonium inside 15 minutes when Dominik Szoboszlai flicked Alexis Mac Allister’s near-post corner towards the penalty spot, where Mohamed Salah was waiting to sweep into the net via a deflection off Nathan Ake.
The hosts rallied in response, and were unfortunate to see Omar Marmoush’s finish ruled out for an offside when he was played through by Phil Foden.
But Liverpool were set up to defend and counter, executing that tactic perfectly to double their advantage.
Trent Alexander-Arnold lifted a ball over the top to Salah, who made his way down the right-hand side and into the box before laying it off for Szoboszlai to stroke home a low finish.
Two of the last three times City have been 2-0 down at the break in the league they have gone on to win 4-2, but there were few signs of that kind of resurgence here.
In fact, Liverpool saw Curtis Jones’ tap in disallowed for an offside in the build-up, before Ederson went at full stretch to palm away Luis Diaz’s curling effort.
City, meanwhile, looked well and truly out of luck at the other end, with every pass and touch seemingly getting away from them as the rain started to come down.
Only the visiting contingent of those in attendance were in voice during the final 10 minutes, as their side had no difficulty in protecting the three points.
Following a 2-0 win at Anfield in December, the result heralds just a third league double over City for Liverpool, and gives them their biggest lead yet over Arsenal in second.
They also have the League Cup final and a UEFA Champions League matchup with Paris Saint-Germain to look forward to, while the best Pep Guardiola can now hope for is a top four finish and a run in the FA Cup.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
