THE NOTEBOOK: Man City should fight to keep Ilkay Gundogan this summer

Liverpool had no solutions to the myriad of problems Manchester City posed for them on Saturday afternoon as they defeated the visitors in a 4-1 victory that looked like the model of a classy team performance.

Although the reds were the first to divert the score, with a great goal from Mohamed Salah that instilled confidence in Jurgen Klopp’s men, Julián Álvarez’s goal just before half an hour sounded the alarm.

After half time, City swept away Jurgen Klopp’s players as Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish added to their tally, and Liverpool’s nearly eight-year quest for a Premier League win at the Etihad continues. .

Here, sports mail JOE BERNSTEIN goes over some of the aspects of the game that you may have missed.

The red fans behaved better than their players

No one told the many Japanese fans outside the Etihad wearing half-and-half scarves about the recent toxicity of this accessory. There were also hugs between club officials to lighten the mood, but police took no chances with rows of additional officers standing on either side of the Liverpool fan section on the upper level to deter rival supporters.

Those fans ended up being better behaved than the players who were quick to surround referee Simon Hooper at every opportunity, particularly Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson-led after Rodri failed to receive a second yellow card for fouling Cody Gakpo.

A significant proportion of the traveling support were so disgusted by their team’s second-half collapse that they left once the score reached 4-1.

Not Haaland? No problem

It did not seem to bother the four-goal Manchester City that Erling Haaland was watching from the executive boxes rather than on the pitch, the first time the Norwegian has not appeared in a Premier League game at the Etihad.

Haaland was unavailable due to a groin injury, but his face still appeared at the head of the day’s show accompanied by a predictably bland interview in which the best quote was: “My job is to put the ball in the back of the game.” grid”.

In all competitions, Haaland has not played in seven games this season, of which City have won six and drawn one.

Rare yellow for Salah

Mo Salah often has some impact on a big occasion and on Saturday the Egyptian king scored against Manchester City in the fourth different game this season, a new club record.

Salah had already scored in the Community Shield, the EFL Cup and the league match at Anfield when he beat Ederson after 17 minutes with a sweet strike, his first Premier League goal at the Etihad in open play.

However, it was not a happy ending and Salah was booked for the second time this season for kicking the ball and was later substituted. His other yellow card was given to Manchester United when he took off his shirt to celebrate the goal.

Wonderful baby!

Big sporting events call for big celebrities and Saturday was no exception with Austin Powers himself, actor Mike Myers, at the Etihad. The acclaimed Canadian star is an outspoken Liverpool fan who has been featured on SoccerAid for a World XI led by Kop legend Kenny Dalglish.

The Reds’ early losing streak continues

Liverpool hate early kickoffs. He has started six games this season at 12:30 p.m. and has not been able to win any.

Fortunately for Jurgen Klopp, no more have been scheduled so far. His next match at Chelsea on Tuesday starts at the most civil time as far as they are concerned, at 8:00pm.

The city remembered the value of Gundogan

Ilkay Gundogan will be a huge loss for Manchester City if he leaves at the end of the season when his contract expires.

The German exposed the lack of cunning of Liverpool’s midfield by dominating that area of ​​the pitch alongside Kevin de Bruyne and it was his goal to make it 3-1 after 53 minutes that effectively settled the game.