Doku Inspires Manchester City’s 3-0 Anfield Win Over Liverpool
Manchester City preserved their flawless Premier League start with a 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, turning a close contest into a decisive away victory after the interval.
The match was level and tense for much of the opening hour, with Enzo Maresca’s side unable to find a way through before a change from the bench transformed the afternoon. Jérémy Doku replaced Iliman Ndiaye in the 56th minute and immediately gave City a far more direct threat on the left.
Doku targeted Ronald Araújo from his first involvement and played a central part in the moment that shifted the contest. Six minutes after coming on, he drove forward on the counter and forced Ryan Gravenberch into a foul. The Liverpool midfielder was shown a second yellow card, reducing the home side to 10 men.
Doku drives City’s second-half surge
City made their extra man count. Doku’s shot took a deflection off Alexis Mac Allister before Erling Haaland finished the move to break the deadlock. The Belgian then scored himself, bending a fine effort beyond the Liverpool defence to put the visitors in command.
The 24-year-old was also involved in the build-up for City’s third, starting the attack that ended with Rayan Cherki scoring. It was an outstanding substitute appearance from Doku after a calf problem had disrupted his season earlier on.
Doku said Maresca’s message upon sending him on was straightforward: “He just told me what position I was going to play.” He added that substitutes look for opportunities to change a match, and felt he had done that at Anfield.
Defenders face a difficult task
Former Belgium international Toby Alderweireld highlighted the range of Doku’s attacking qualities after the final whistle, describing him as particularly difficult to contain because he can drive inside or outside, halt defenders before accelerating again, and combine his speed with physical strength.
Alderweireld said the questions around Doku had concerned his final ball and scoring output, but pointed to the winger’s strike against Liverpool as evidence of the quality he can deliver. He called him “a big star”.
The result gives City further momentum in the early stages of their league campaign, while Maresca now has a fit Doku available for the fixtures ahead. Liverpool, meanwhile, must respond quickly after a painful home defeat in which Gravenberch’s dismissal and their defensive problems proved costly.
