Sunday’s match between Liverpool and Manchester City went fairly well.
Referee Chris Kavanagh blew for just 17 fouls – fewer than in any of the other nine Premier League matches of the weekend.
However, it was still a bit of a toss-up between the two teams.
Liverpool fans insulted Pep Guardiola by chanting that the City manager would be ‘fired tomorrow morning’.
Guardiola responded by raising six fingers. Not to point out that City have now lost six of their last seven games, but to point out that he has won six Premier League titles during his time at Manchester.
There was also a small problem between captains Kyle Walker and Virgil van Dijk before kick-off.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk pictured after leading his side to a 2-0 win over Man City
Man City were led by England defender Kyle Walker at Anfield on Sunday afternoon
After winning the toss, City skipper Walker opted to turn Liverpool around so that the home side would attack the Kop in the first half, rather than their preference to do so in the second 45 minutes.
Reds captain Van Dijk seemed annoyed with Walker. But the Dutchman explained after the match that this was not because Walker forced his team to change ends.
“I was annoyed that he started the toss without me,” Van Dijk explained.
‘I was working on my mascot and took some time, but he started the toss quite quickly. I was a little annoyed by that, but look, good game, we won and we’ll move on.”
Liverpool then defeated City 2-0 thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah.
The result moved Liverpool nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, while City remained eleven points below the top.
About the match itself, Van Dijk said: ‘That’s easy to say [Man City were there for the taking’ after the game.
‘City are a fantastic team. Four times champions in a row. They have quality to punish any team.
Dutchman Van Dijk pictured with a Liverpool mascot shortly before kick-off in Sunday’s game
Walker pictured preparing to take a throw-in while standing near Reds manager Arne Slot (left)
‘We were very solid defensively. Offensively we did our part as well, created chances and could have scored more.
‘Overall it’s been a great day but now we recover and be ready for another game Wednesday.’
Liverpool travel to Newcastle on Wednesday, before making the short trip to local rivals Everton on Saturday.
Meanwhile, City’s next game is at home against Nottingham Forest, who currently sit just one point below the reigning champions.