Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield in their first match since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations, restoring their three-point advantage at the top of the table.
Enzo Maresca’s team delivered a composed performance amid a hostile atmosphere before second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki secured an emphatic victory.
However, uncertainty continues to surround City’s season.
The club have appealed against the independent commission’s verdict and await a punishment that could include expulsion from the Premier League, relegation or a record points deduction.
Liverpool supporters voiced their anger with repeated chants and banners referencing the financial case, while the travelling fans displayed their backing for City’s owners.
The intensity in the stands was not matched by the opening half.
City controlled possession and slowed the tempo, while Liverpool struggled to create meaningful opportunities.
The contest became livelier after the interval.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made quick successive saves to deny Victor Munoz and Ryan Gravenberch, before Haaland wasted a clear chance by rolling his effort wide.
Liverpool’s task became considerably harder when Gravenberch received a second yellow card for a foul on Doku.
City then took full advantage.
Haaland opened the scoring after 65 minutes with a powerful finish beyond Alisson.
Three minutes later, substitute Doku doubled the lead with a superb strike into the top corner.
Cherki completed the scoring in the 78th minute, producing an outstanding piece of individual skill to seal a convincing win.
City showed little sign of being distracted by the controversy surrounding the club.
They handled Anfield’s early hostility with patience, gradually taking control against a Liverpool side that struggled to impose itself.
Elliot Anderson provided strength and energy in midfield, while Donnarumma was reliable when called upon to deal with Liverpool’s few threatening moments.
Once the hosts were reduced to 10 men, City’s attacking quality proved decisive.
Haaland made amends for his earlier miss, and the goals from Doku and Cherki underlined the options available to Maresca.
The City coach celebrated enthusiastically at the final whistle, but the wider implications of the result remain unclear.
Their position in the title race could still be dramatically affected by the eventual sanction and outcome of their appeal.
Liverpool were weakened by injuries sustained during the international break, with Alexander Isak, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo all unavailable to head coach Andoni Iraola.
Even with those absences, the hosts needed more from the expensive attacking players selected to face City.
Munoz offered a bright spot, but Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola struggled to make an impact.
Wirtz, signed for £116m, found it difficult to cope with City’s physical presence and was substituted after 66 minutes following another ineffective display.
Barcola, a £123m summer arrival, also endured a frustrating afternoon, repeatedly surrendering possession and struggling to find a way through the visitors’ defence before being withdrawn.
While Barcola is still adapting to English football, Wirtz’s continued difficulties remain a concern.
Liverpool’s depleted squad offered some explanation for their struggles, but the lack of influence from their major signings left them unable to challenge City.
