Donnarumma lays foundations before Manchester City turn on the style

Donnarumma lays foundations before Manchester City turn on the style Manchester City seize control at Anfield as Doku inspires ruthless Liverpool response Manchester City withstand Liverpool’s early pressure Manchester City’s afternoon at Anfield demanded patience before it rewarded their quality. Faced with an aggressive Liverpool start and a hostile reception, Enzo Maresca’s side gradually found their footing, protected themselves through a dangerous spell and then struck with devastating efficiency. Goals from Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku and Rayan Cherki put City 3-0 ahead after Ryan Gravenberch’s dismissal. FotMob’s supplied live commentary ends after 88 minutes with that advantage intact, without recording the final whistle. The scoreline reflected City’s ruthlessness once the contest opened up. Getting to that point required resilience, particularly when Liverpool threatened immediately after the interval. Jamie Carragher had outlined the challenge on Sky Sports: “These Manchester City players will need to show real courage on the ball because Liverpool will get after them.” Liverpool did exactly that. Víctor Muñoz repeatedly attacked Nico O’Reilly, while Gravenberch’s carries through midfield gave the hosts momentum. City’s composure was tested before their attacking quality could become the dominant feature. IMAGO Donnarumma and Anderson provide foundations for City Elliot Anderson helped City establish a foothold. His movement and willingness to take possession gave the visitors a route through Liverpool’s pressure, allowing Cherki and Enzo Fernández to become more involved. Gary Neville recognised the changing rhythm on Sky Sports: “It feels like the match is moving out of the frantic phase and into a phase where City might be able to have more control.” Control did not immediately produce chances. Haaland was largely isolated, and City reached half-time with an expected goals figure of just 0.07, according to FotMob, compared with Liverpool’s 0.42. AFP journalist Kieran Canning captured the subdued action: “Given all the build-up, this has been very, very flat. Both the lack of quality on the field and even the atmosphere has quickly fizzled out”. The match sharpened considerably after the restart. Bradley Barcola found Lewis Koumas inside the box, but Gianluigi Donnarumma met the youngster’s effort with a strong save. The Italian then denied Gravenberch before Alexis Mac Allister shot narrowly wide. Those interventions were essential. Before City could exploit Liverpool’s vulnerability, their goalkeeper ensured they remained level. Doku introduction turns pressure into punishment Maresca introduced Doku for Iliman Ndiaye after 56 minutes. His pace and direct running soon changed the demands on Liverpool’s defence and midfield. The hosts had already wasted promising openings. Florian Wirtz shot wide with Miloš Kerkez available, a decision that drew criticism from CBS journalist James Benge. “The decision making with the ball is getting more scrambled every time I see him,” Benge wrote. City also needed greater precision, with Haaland missing after Antoine Semenyo released him. But the decisive shift arrived when Gravenberch, booked earlier for catching Anderson, lunged towards Doku as Liverpool’s attack broke down. The midfielder failed to win the ball and received his second yellow in the 62nd minute. City wasted little time exploiting the advantage. Three minutes later, Doku’s partially blocked cross fell to Haaland. The striker adjusted his position and lashed a left-footed finish into the bottom corner. Doku then supplied the afternoon’s spectacular second goal. Found by Anderson on the left, he moved inside and curled a superb strike beyond Alisson. Within six minutes of the dismissal, City had transformed the contest. Cherki adds flourish as Manchester City take command Cherki’s goal after 78 minutes brought together the confidence and imagination that characterised City’s closing spell. He dummied the initial pass, combined with Joško Gvardiol and evaded Jeremie Frimpong before cutting inside Alisson to roll the ball home. Liverpool were chasing possession and shadows; City were now choosing how to hurt them. The numerical advantage was significant, but the quality of the response deserved its own recognition. Doku stretched the game, Anderson helped direct it and Haaland punished the opportunity that reached him. Beyond the pitch, the commentary carried uncertainty about the fixture’s wider significance. Football writer Iain Macintosh observed: “It’s so weird that, outside of it being a tremendous day out for a few thousand City fans, we have no idea what this game means.” For the travelling supporters, the football itself offered plenty to enjoy. Their team had weathered Liverpool’s strongest spell, seized the turning point and produced three finishes worthy of a commanding advantage at Anfield.