sport news PLAYER RATINGS: Jack Grealish produces a masterful performance as Man City ... trends now
Manchester City recovered from going behind early to produce a dominant display and win against Liverpool.
Star marksman Erling Haaland was left out after he picked up a groin injury in midweek, but cheered his side on from the stands as his replacement Julian Alvarez proved a more than capable deputy in his absence, equalising for City in the first-half.
Following the half-time interval Pep Guardiola's side immediately seized the initiative with Kevin De Bruyne putting the hosts ahead just minutes after the restart.
After taking the lead, City controlled the game comfortably enjoying long spaces of almost uncontested possession in the final third.
Club captain Ilkay Gundogan increased his team's advantage on 53 minutes, before Jack Grealish's tireless performance was rewarded with a goal to complete the rout and bouy the defend Premier League champions title ambitions.
Ian Whitwell provides the ratings and the analysis from Saturday's clash at the Etihad.
Jack Grealish produced arguably his best performance in a Man City shirt in win over Liverpool
Manchester City (4-1-4-1):
Ederson 6
Little to do, especially in the second half, but what he did, he did well. Usual competent passing performance underpinned City playing out from the back.
John Stones 7
Preferred to England’s Kyle Walker at right-back, and required to tuck into midfield on occasion where his use of the ball was good. Escaped with a couple of careless errors.
Manuel Akanji 6
Defender relished the physical nature of the clash but might have done more in stopping Liverpool’s opener as Jota ran off him.
Ruben Dias 7
Steady head in the middle of an intense contest. Barely put a foot wrong and shackled Liverpool’s central attacking threat in the short spells they were threatening.
Ruben Dias was confident in defence when the visitors threatened in the first half
Nathan Ake 6
Not a specialist left-back and it showed up against Salah at times. Stuck to his task and made a couple of important tackles and blocks on the Egyptian.
Rodri 6
Booked for persistent fouling and Liverpool wanted him off soon after when he hauled back Gakpo. The only defensive midfielder in the City line-up so had his work cut out.
Riyad Mahrez 8
No Phil Foden for a while after his appendix op but Mahrez offers plenty of threat from wide, as he proved with his break for the equaliser and his brilliant cross for the second.
Riyad Mahrez got on the scoresheet and could have added a couple more in a busy afternoon
Kevin De Bruyne 7
Always looking for the killer ball but the timing of his run was perfect as he beat the offside to put City in front and the fourth goal was a vintage KDB assist.
Ilkay Gundogan 7
Dynamic performance, buzzing around and trying to keep City moving forward. A
