Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool result - Jeremy Doku completes victory with third after Erling Haaland and Nico Gonzalez goals

Manchester City go into the international break four points behind leaders Arsenal after a convincing 3-0 win against defending champions Liverpool.

Erling Haaland and Nico Gonzalez put City in charge with first-half goals before Jeremy Doku completed a man-of-the-match performance with a third.

Arne Slot’s side were in a confident mood coming into the tie after their midweek win against Real Madrid.

Their mood was further lifted after Haaland saw his 13th-minute penalty expertly saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili.

However, Haaland was not to be denied on 29 minutes and headed home the opening goal.

Liverpool felt they should have equalised nine minutes later through a Virgil van Dijk’s header. However, VAR ruled the goal out due to an offside Andrew Robertson who was judged to have impeded the goalkeeper.

City responded and on the stroke of half-time doubled their lead with a powerful Gonzalez strike.

Just as Liverpool were starting to turn momentum in the second half, up stepped Doku to seal the win with a curling strike from outside the box.

Pep Guardiola celebrated the 716th win in his managerial career which reached the landmark of 1,000 games.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game Doku said: "I think in big games, there's always more exposed, it’s always more beautiful.

"I'm just happy with the game in the performance today from the team, from the start. We prepared the game well. We were directly at it, I'm very happy.

"I’ve great players around me that push me. I have to do more every game, every day I want to improve and having team-mates like that makes it easier for me."

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The winger marked his 100th appearance for Manchester City with a man-of-the-match performance.

The Belgium international has had to battle with Jack Grealish for his starting place in recent seasons.

However, it now looks firmly his and Liverpool were unable to cope with Doku.

A landmark day for Pep Guardiola and a feeling that Manchester City are back near their best. This display will send a message to the rest of the Premier League.

Arsenal will be looking over their shoulders with Foden, Doku and Haaland in form. Arne Slot will have lots to reflect on during the international break.

That’s full-time. Liverpool leave the Etihad with their heads in their hands after a heavy 3-0 defeat.

The Liverpool man runs into the back of Foden in a cynical move. There is some pushing afterwards and Szoboszlai is booked.

Savinho beats his Liverpool opponent and looks to dart into the opposing half. However, Jones drags him down and is deservedly booked.

Three minutes added on

The wing-back links up with Marmoush and works his way into the box. After finding space inside the box O’Reilly goes for goal but his effort is off-target.

Gomez on for Bradley; Chiesa on for Wirtz.

It was almost the icing on the cake for City. Foden spots the run of O’Reilly who is unmarked in acres of space. However, the youngster rushes the effort and sends it over.

A lovely run by the Liverpool talisman as he runs inside his marker. However, with Donnarumma to beat Salah’s chipped effort is an inch wide of the post.

A Liverpool cross narrowly evades the head of Van Dijk. However, the ball is only clear to Szoboszlai on the edge of the box who gets fully behind his effort. Donnarumma is alert to the effort and pulls out a fine stop.

Pep Guardiola decides to save his winger for another day and Doku makes way for Marmoush.

Liverpool also make a change as Jones is on for Mac Allister

A rare moment where O'Reilly is caught. The youngster is beaten by Szoboszlai who sends an inviting ball into the six-yard box. However, Nunes is on hand to clear for a corner.

The wing-back is out-muscled by the corner flag and goes down claiming a foul. The referee isn’t entertaining the idea. That sums up Liverpool’s frustration with the outcome of this one.

Arne Slot’s changes were starting to make an impact and the momentum was turning with City making small errors. However, up stepped Doku with a sensational goal which has surely settled this one.

It’s a perfect goal from the impressive Doku. The winger has been unstoppable tonight. A long ball out to O’Reilly who cuts back to Doku whose curled effort outside the box finds the top corner.

Bradley sends a perfect ball into the path of Gakpo at the back post. However, the pace of the pass and his body position results in the ball flying over.

Moments earlier Gonzalez deflected a cross over his own crossbar and knew little about it.

 Kerkez on for Robertson; Ekitike off for Gakpo.