Liverpool collapse as Manchester City score twice after Gravenberch sending-off

Manchester City turned Liverpool’s control of their Premier League meeting into a decisive advantage in six minutes, after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off and Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku scored in quick succession.

The key moment came in the 62nd minute when Gravenberch received a second yellow card for bringing down Doku at the start of a Manchester City counter-attack. The Dutch midfielder was dismissed, leaving Liverpool to play the final half-hour with 10 men.

The dismissal came at a particularly damaging time for the home side. Liverpool had begun to impose themselves on the match, creating threats in several ways and putting Manchester City under pressure. But the numerical disadvantage immediately opened up space for the visitors and changed the direction of the contest.

Manchester City needed only three minutes to take advantage. Haaland put the visitors ahead in the 65th minute, punishing Liverpool almost immediately for losing one of their players and giving his side the lead in a match that had been following a different pattern before the sending-off.

Doku then extended Manchester City’s advantage in the 68th minute. The Belgium international cut in from the left before curling an excellent effort beyond Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker and into the net.

The two goals left Liverpool facing a highly difficult task at Anfield, with the six-minute spell highlighting the effect Gravenberch’s red card had on the balance of the match. Manchester City had moved from being under pressure to establishing a commanding position as they sought to secure victory.

The result would take Manchester City to 18 points from six matches, maintaining their perfect start and leaving them alone at the top of the Premier League. Liverpool, meanwhile, were at risk of suffering their first league defeat of the season after their plans unravelled in a matter of minutes.