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Three Takeaways: Manchester City 4-0 Liverpool

By J.C. Gonzalez

Manchester City's English midfielder Phil Foden (R) vies with Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on July 2, 2020. (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's English midfielder Phil Foden (R) vies with Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on July 2, 2020. (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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All of Manchester City’s built-up frustration from a disappointing 2019-20 Premier League campaign was unleashed upon its golden boy champions-elect Liverpool with a 4-0 thrashing.

Manchester City may have given rivals Liverpool a guard of honor in appreciation of their achievement having sealed the Premier League title, but they also gave them an absolute thumping of a send off in a 4-0 statement.

City struggled in the match’s opening stanza, before Raheem Sterling won a controversial penalty off of Joe Gomez, which Kevin de Bruyne firmly slotted home to completely turn the tide of the game. From there, there were chances at both ends, but City were clinical on the counter attack to give Liverpool a decisive loss at the hands of the former champions.

1. Phil Foden should start in the Champions League

It seems almost repetitive talking about how incredible Phil Foden has been this season, but it bears repeating; he was phenomenal again. The duo of Foden and Kevin de Bruyne was incredible today, with the two having a goal and assist each, including a stunning one-two move that allowed Foden to score his fourth Premier League goal in his last three league appearances.

That being said, the 20-year old youth academy product should be among Pep Guardiola’s first choice team heading into crucial Champions League and FA Cup fixtures for the rest of the season, whether it be in attacking midfield or out wide as he has featured recently. With David Silva departing at the end of this season, we can officially confirm that City supporters have nothing to fear, as a new star has arrived.

2. Raheem Sterling breaks his Liverpool duck

Although he scored in the Community Shield against his former club, Sterling’s goal today was his first competitive one against the Reds, and he played brilliantly. After winning a penalty off of rival Gomez, he proceeded to score between the England defender’s legs for the second, before Gomez was taken off at halftime. The break has done Sterling a serious favor as his form has picked up since the league’s return, just in time for the big matches down the stretch.

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3. A lesson learned

Humbling Liverpool was a good experience, but overall, it served as a reminder that there is still much to do for City to get back on top. A successful transfer window will be needed to reinforce the backline, while the club will also have to determine whether or not to replace Leroy Sané after his £54.8 million move to Bayern Munich. Smashing Liverpool is sweet, but the Premier League trophy is just that much sweeter.