The hosts began with intensity and physicality at a raucous Anfield, but Enzo Maresca’s men expertly weathered the storm to dominate possession in a well-contested first 45 minutes, where the best chance for City came from Antoine Semenyo’s drilled cross across the six-yard box, which evaded everybody.
The second-half began in similar fashion to the first, with the Reds forcing a hat-trick of fine saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who denied Lewis Koumas, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in quick succession.
With 56 minutes played, Doku was introduced by Maresca and just six minutes later, the hosts were reduced to 10 men, as Gravenberch brought down our tricky Belgian and was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Three minutes later, we took full advantage of the extra man as the electric Doku’s deflected strike fell to Erling Haaland inside the box and after missing a clear chance moments earlier, this time our marksman made no mistake, emphatically drilling into the bottom corner in front of our thrilled away fans.
We quickly doubled the lead through a magical strike from Doku, who cut inside onto his right foot and curled into the top corner in spectacular fashion beyond the sprawling Alisson.
Doku was again involved in our magnificent third of the game, getting down the left flank and playing the ball into Elliot Anderson, who rolled the ball towards Rayan Cherki.
The Frenchman cleverly dummied for Josko Gvardiol to flick back into the his path, before cutting inside the sliding Jeremie Frimpong and stroking under Alisson, ending a 41-pass move in style.
The victory takes us back to the top of the Premier League with six wins from our opening six fixtures and condemns Liverpool to their first defeat of the league season.
View the best images from the victory via our gallery below.
