Alisson's meltdown hands Manchester City decisive win over Liverpool
MEN'S
SBI Soccer
3 Yrs Ago
When Mo Salah converted a 63rd-minute penalty kick to give Liverpool an equalizer against red-hot Manchester City, it looked like the reigning Premier League champions might show some life and earn the victory their title hopes so desperately needed.
A pair of shocking blunders by the normally reliable Alisson spoiled that plan though, and Manchester City took full advantage, scoring three unanswered goals to complete a 4-1 thrashing of Liverpool on Sunday at Anfield.
Phil Foden was the star of the day for City, pouncing on Alisson’s first error to set up Ilkay Gundogan with a go-ahead goal in the 73rd minute.
Liverpool barely had time to blink before Alisson committed yet another turnover, sending a pass directly to Raheem Sterling, who raced right back toward Alisson before chipping the Brazilian for the 3-1 lead.
Foden put the match to bed in the 83rd minute when he dribbled in on goal and unleashed a left-footed blast past Alisson to secure Manchester City’s 10th consecutive Premier League victory, extending its lead atop the able ahead of second-place Manchester United to five points.
Ilkay Gundogan held the early label of match villain when he missed a penalty kick in the 37th minute that would have given City the first-half lead, but he redeemed himself in the second half, pouncing on the rebound of a saved Phil Foden shot just four minutes into the second half.
Liverpool had some hope though in the 62nd minute when Mo Salah drew a penalty foul by Ruben Dias, and proceeded to convert the subsequent penalty kick to help the Reds pull even at 1-1 with a third of the match left to play. Unfortunately for the reigning champions, Alisson’s blunders doomed the home team, and set the table for Manchester City to celebrate a big victory at Anfield.
Liverpool’s title hopes were already faint before Sunday, but now the Reds sit 10 points behind Manchester City, with City holding a game in hand. Jurgen Klopp’s men will need to turn their attention to maintaining their place in the Top Four. They now stand in fourth place, just one point ahead of West Ham United.
Manchester City is now undefeated in 14 consecutive matches, and will next face Tottenham on Friday. Liverpool will look to rebound on Friday against Leicester City.