Drama at Etihad: A Treat for Guardiola, Crisis for Liverpool

That night, at Manchester City's proud headquarters, the Etihad Stadium, the atmosphere turned into a high-pressure rally. On Sunday, November 9, 2025, at night WIB, the home team displayed sharp performance when facing Liverpool in the 2025/2026 Premier League continuation. The final score of 3-0 for City clearly silenced the ambitions of the defending champions. 

The match drama opened in the 13th minute when City received a penalty after Doku was brought down due to an intervention by Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. However, the executioner, Erling Haaland, lost his momentum, his kick was saved. The penalty that should have broken the deadlock turned into an early moment of tension.

But Haaland was able to redeem his failure. In the 29th minute, with a stunning header utilizing a cross from Matheus Nunes, he opened the scoring tap. His 14th Premier League goal this season, proving that the initial failure did not kill his "killer" instinct.

The drama continued when Liverpool seemed to get hope to turn things around, Virgil van Dijk's header in the 38th minute managed to breach the City goal guarded by Donnarumma. However, that euphoria was erased by a VAR decision, as Andy Robertson, positioned in front of the goalkeeper, was deemed offside. 

"There is no point discussing this from my point of view," commented van Dijk as quoted by Reuters.

Just before halftime, City's lead was doubled through a strike from Nico González that changed direction after hitting Van Dijk's foot. The 2-0 score ended the first half.

After the break, when Liverpool tried to build momentum, City instead buried the visitors' hopes through a spectacular goal from Jérémy Doku in the 63rd minute, via a powerful shot from outside the penalty box that slammed into the corner of the net. The visiting team knelt down without any answer. 

Statistics That Speak

Although City trailed slightly in possession (49.3% vs 50.7% for Liverpool), City excelled in what truly mattered. They unleashed 14 shots with six on target, and three of them became goals, while Liverpool only attempted seven times with one on target.

City's victory over Liverpool places the Guardiola-led team now in 2nd place in the temporary Premier League standings with 22 points from 11 matches, trailing by four points from leaders Arsenal (26 points). Meanwhile, Liverpool sank to 8th place with 18 points from 11 games. 

Impact and Significance

This victory is not just three points but a statement from City that they are seriously hunting for the title again. For the manager, Pep Guardiola, this was his 1000th match in his career, and he was gifted a stunning victory. 

"Thanks to the players and staff for giving me such a wonderful present," he said after the match.

As for Liverpool, the title chase is narrowing. Football commentators like Roy Keane even called Liverpool's situation a "crisis", suggesting that title hopes seem to be fading for the Anfield-based team after suffering five defeats in 11 matches.