Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning celebrations were slightly dampened as they were thrashed by deposed champions Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp’s side ended an agonising 30-year wait for the top-flight title when City lost at Chelsea last week, but were resoundingly hammered on their return to action.
The Reds, who were given a guard of honour by the hosts before kick-off, could have taken the lead at Etihad Stadium but Mohamed Salah’s low drive cannoned off the post.
It proved costly as Pep Guardiola’s men took complete control with a devastating first-half display in which they scored three goals within 20 minutes.
The sublime Kevin de Bruyne converted the opener from the penalty spot after Joe Gomez hauled down Raheem Sterling and the England international finished off a swift counter-attack for the second.
Midfielder Phil Foden further enhanced his reputation as a star in the making, coolly slotting home before half-time following a quick one-two with De Bruyne.
City scored their fourth in the second half when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain inadvertently slid the ball into his own net from Sterling’s low drive.
Manchester City have been champions for the past two seasons, pipping Liverpool by a point in 2018-19, and will have been frustrated at how they surrendered their grasp on the trophy in such meek fashion.
It is only the third time in 11 campaigns as a manager that Spaniard Guardiola has not ended the campaign by lifting the domestic title at either City, Barcelona or Bayern Munich.
A close contest was expected between the top two sides in England, but it turned into an absolute stroll for City and pointed to signs that they will aim to come back stronger next year.
De Bruyne pulled the strings and was unplayable at times with his array of passing, while Foden highlighted why he is a ready-made replacement for the departing David Silva with his intelligence both on and off the ball, contributing a goal and an assist.
The home side may be disappointed to have scored just the four in a dominant showing with Sterling seeing a shot deflected wide and Foden having a low strike cleared off the line by Virgil van Dijk.
Riyad Mahrez came off the bench and thought he had netted a fifth with a low drive at the near post, but the effort was ruled out by the video assistant referee for handball in the build-up.
Though they kept a clean sheet this time, City have struggled at the back by conceding 33 goals in 32 league games, and may well look to use the money from Leroy Sane’s sale to Bayern to add a new centre-back.
Having already claimed the Carabao Cup and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup while remaining in contention in the Champions League, City have plenty to look forward to from now until the end of the season and could well finish with another treble of trophies.
Rampant Reds suffer hiccup
German manager Klopp has turned Liverpool into a footballing force since taking over in 2015 and finally delivered the one trophy the players, staff and supporters have craved the most – the Premier League.
Despite suffering just their second league loss of the campaign, clinching the title with seven games to go is the earliest any team in English top-flight history has managed to achieve the feat.
Having thrashed Crystal Palace at Anfield on 24 June and become champions the following day, Liverpool may point to a week of celebrations for their off-day in Manchester.
The Merseysiders started sharply, pressing and harrying their opponents and even striking the post through Salah on 20 minutes, but capitulated once the first goal went in and never managed to recover.
The Egyptian curled another effort straight at Ederson, who was barely troubled by the subdued Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
RECORDS STILL IN SIGHT
Liverpool will want to pick themselves up quickly for their remaining six games and not let their superb season fizzle away.
Writing in his BBC Sport column, former England striker Alan Shearer said that Liverpool had taken City’s trophy and now have an eye on their records too.
Here is what Liverpool can still achieve:
Taking 15 points from a possible 18 remaining will take them to 101 points, one better than City’s total from the 2017-18 season.
Claiming those five victories will also mean they win 33 games during the season, beating City’s number from the same campaign.
City won the title that season with a record 19-point margin to second – Liverpool are currently 20 clear.
Victories in their three remaining games at Anfield against Aston Villa, Burnley and Chelsea will ensure they win all 19 league games at home. (BBC)
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