City punished Liverpool after Sadio Mane’s dangerous challenge on Ederson resulted in a red card.
The Blues scored twice in the first half and three more times after the break to record a famous 5-0 win.
Two teams tipped to challenge for the title, a mixture of heavy showers and sunshine and an open, expansive game to entertain the capacity crowd – this was never going to be a dull encounter.
There were tactical battles all over the pitch as two of Europe’s top coaches tried to keep one step ahead of the other.
Liverpool had the best of the opening few minutes with winger Mohamed Salah a constant threat down the right flank as the visitors looked to expose City whenever Benjamin Mendy and Kyle Walker joined the attack.
Fernandinho’s low drive on 16 minutes was the Blues’ first real effort on target with Simon Mignolet forced to push the ball around the post.
Liverpool continued to prod and probe but City grew into the half with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus looking increasingly menacing.
It felt like something had to give and on 31 minutes, it finally did.
Kevin De Bruyne collected the ball just inside the Liverpool half before sliding an inch-perfect pass through the Liverpool defence and into Aguero’s to round Mignolet and roll the ball into the empty net.
However, minutes later Liverpool should have been level as Salah raced clear of Nicolas Otamendi and clear on goal only to be denied by Ederson from close range.
Johns Stones was then denied from six yards by Mignolet following a
The game’s major turning point came on 37 minutes as Sadio Mane raced through onto a lofted pass from Joel Matip and as the Liverpool forward approached the ball, Ederson bravely headed clear before crashing to the floor courtesy of Mane’s high boot.
Referee Jon Moss took a moment before issuing a straight red for the Liverpool man for reckless play.
Ederson received treatment for eight minutes before being stretchered off to a standing ovation from all four corners of the Etihad and replaced by Claudio Bravo.
City immediately looked to immediately make their numerical count and the Etihad was on its feet as Kyle Walker’s cross was nodded home by Gabriel Jesus – only for the assistant referee’s flag to deny the Brazilian who’d strayed a yard offside.
Minutes later Jesus met De Bruyne’s excellent cross and planted his header firmly past Mignolet and this time it did count to double the Blues’ lead.
Now in complete command, City resumed where they’d left off after the break and took just eight minutes to again breach Liverpool’s by-now wide open defence.
John Stones cut out a Jordan Henderson pass and Fernandinho took over, feeding another slide-rule pass through the middle for Aguero to chase on to, but this time the Argentine squared the ball to Jesus who rolled the ball into the net with Mignolet stranded.
There was no way back for the visitors thereafter, with Klopp’s side fortunate not to concede more goals in the time that remained.
Key moment
Ederson’s bravery not only saved a certain goal but cost Liverpool their in-form striker. It came at a cost for the young Brazilian, too, who must have known he could end up getting hurt.
Terrific stuff from a goalkeeper who looks like he has everything.
City Matchday App star man: Gabriel Jesus
Team notes
Danilo was drafted into centre defence with Vincent Kompany missing out with a calf problem.
Kyle Walker returned following his one game suspension, while Raheem Sterling served his one match ban.
Team: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Mendy, Danilo, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Silva (c), Aguero, Jesus
Subs: Bravo, Foden, Mangala, Sane, Gundogan, Delph, Bernardo
Alexander-Arnold 19 mins (for foul on De Bruyne)
What next?
City open their Champions League campaign away to Feyenoord on Wednesday evening before travelling to Watford next weekend in the Premier League.
Watch the video above to relive the action!
