Liverpool vs Man City Player Ratings: Salah UNTOUCHABLE as Liverpool go 11 points clear of City

Liverpool beat Manchester City 2-0 at Anfield, going 11 points clear of the four-time reigning champions in the process.

Arne Slot made three changes to the team that started against Real Madrid in midweek, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo all coming in due to both injuries and tactical decisions.

Manchester City, meanwhile, switched goalkeepers, brought back Ruben Dias for the first time in a month and put Nathan Ake on Mo Salah.

Here are our player ratings:

Caoimhin Kelleher - 7/10

Kelleher had one serious thing to do all game, save a Kevin de Bruyne one-on-one as Virgil van Dijk miscontrolled the ball, and he did it. Good, controlled passing out from the back as ever. As much as City did more attacking-wise in the second half, his number was still barely called.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8/10

Sprung Salah in behind with long balls multiple times, including a pre-assist for the goal, as well as some narrative-breaking defending. Jeremy Doku gave him a tough time when he came on but he managed well against the tricky winger before a 74th minute substitution.

Joe Gomez - 7/10

To say it was his first league start all season, Gomez played with all the experience of his years. Nothing got past him at centre-back and he was dependable throughout despite Erling Haaland's looming presence.

Virgil van Dijk - 9/10

A man mountain of proportions even better than we've come to expect. He dealt with Erling Haaland time after time all afternoon, not missing a single ball at the back. It would have been a 10 too if he finished any of the three headers he should have scored.

Andy Robertson - 7/10

Good and lively from the Scottish captain all game, timing his runs down the flank with wonderful precision. After months of shaky performances, he dropped his best one all season just when he needed to.

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Ryan Gravenberch - 8/10

What a special player. Liverpool's entire defensive system and high press at the start of the game ran through the Dutchman who didn't let Phil Foden have a minute all game. The only problem was his booking in the middle of the first-half, meaning that his intensity had to drop as the game went on.

Alexis Mac Allister - 8/10

Everything just ticks better with Mac Allister on the pitch. His ability to progress the ball whilst maintaining the press is essential to why this team is so good, plus a lovely corner than Van Dijk just put wide. In the second half his intensity dropped - as did the entire teams - but still nothing got past him. He timed his ball progression to perfection, allowing the counter attacks that won Liverpool the game.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 7/10

Tremendous in the press and resisting any City attempts at doing the same, particularly in the first half. Always making space for Salah out wide and getting himself into good positions to either shoot or find someone who can. An excellent cross led to Van Dijk banging a header off the post. When the intensity dropped in the second half he became a bit sloppier on the ball, but his presence was necessary all game.

Mohamed Salah - 9/10

Not many teams are able to live with Salah and Man City were no different. He remains the ultimate difference maker, providing a ball only he could for Gakpo's opener and then shaking off his midweek penalty miss to dispatch this one with aplomb. The only problem was the couple of chances he missed - including a one-on-one we could hardly believe.

Luis Diaz - 8/10

Truly wonderful in the press, despite his actual attacking output being limited on the day. The biggest example being capitalising on Ruben Dias' lack of physicality, steaming ahead before being brought down by Stefan Ortega for the penalty that made it 2-0. The only issue has been the weight of his first touches which, whilst stemming from difficult passes, could have reaped serious reward if they were lighter.

Cody Gakpo - 7/10

Gakpo could have had three in the first-half, even with the goal he did score. He was a welcome physical presence throughout, terrorising City's back line but just lacking a clinical edge.

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Substitutions

Jarell Quansah - 6/10

A 74th minute switch with Trent Alexander-Arnold saw Quansah slot into his lesser-seen right-back role, but he dealt with Jeremy Doku without any issue.

Darwin Nunez - 5/10

Nunez replaced Gakpo to add intensity at the front and he did just that, pushing in behind City as much as he could despite Liverpool sitting off after he came on.

Curtis Jones - 6/10

A five minute cameo at the end showcased everything we've seen since his return from injury this season, which is a complete midfielder.

Harvey Elliott - N/A

Came on too late to give a fair rating too but brilliant to see him back from injury.