Manchester City won the thrilling top game against Liverpool and the Reds missed the next bitter setback.
The English soccer champions won 4-1 (1-1) in the duel between star coaches Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola on Saturday (April 1st, 2023) even without the injured striker Erling Haaland. The backlog of Cityzens in the Premier League on leaders FC Arsenal is only five points. Liverpool suffered their ninth defeat of the season.
Mohamed Salah (17th minute) had surprisingly put the guests in the lead before Haaland representatives Julian Alvarez (27′) equalized and midfield star Kevin De Bruyne (46′) and German international Ilkay Gündogan (53′) gave the champions a clear lead. The outstanding Jack Grealish then set the final point (74th). The Reds won the first leg 1-0.
City dominates, Salah scores
Manchester, who were also missing England international Phil Foden (appendectomy), dominated the fast-paced duel, while Liverpool didn’t play offensively.
The lead of the Klopp team then fell completely out of nowhere: Salah converted a counterattack initiated by keeper Alisson Becker over a few stops with a precise shot from 18 meters. It was the Reds’ first chance – and in the end the only top-class one.
Grealish saves and hangs up
A little later, the English national player Grealish prevented a cross from Salah and the possible 0:2 with a strong sprint backwards. And almost in return, he hung up after a great combination for Alvarez, who only had to push in.
The second half started like the first with plenty of pace: just 53 seconds after the restart, De Bruyne had Guardiola cheering and Klopp frustrated as he converted a quick counterattack to put the hosts ahead. Gündogan then made the preliminary decision with a precise shot from the penalty area after a good combination.
