Manchester City rallied from a goal down to defeat Liverpool 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium, keeping pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Manchester City started brightly, with John Stones and Rodri in midfield, but Liverpool’s threat on the counter-attack was clear.

Salah was ruthless in exposing City’s defense after Diogo Jota sprung the offside trap.

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Salah scored again soon after, but it proved to be the turning point in the game. Grealish intercepted his cross and was back down the other end moments later, assisting Alvarez’s equalizer, capping off a magnificent City move.

It felt like a big moment in the title race for the Argentine, taking responsibility for leading the line in Haaland’s absence.

These two teams have been vying for the title so frequently in recent seasons, but Liverpool’s struggles did not take the sting out of this one, with duels between Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Manuel Akanji and Jordan Henderson adding to the sense of occasion.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, their form does not correspond to their competitive spirit, and the game quickly slipped away from them in the second half.

After Alvarez found Mahrez in space out wide with a brilliant pass, De Bruyne put City ahead in just 53 seconds.

Alvarez was also involved in the third, with Alexander-Arnold blocking his left-footed shot near the line but only as far as Gundogan.

The captain had plenty of time to pick his spot and calm the atmosphere around the Etihad Stadium. The city never gave up control.

All that remained was for Grealish to score, slotting past Alisson after collecting De Bruyne’s inside pass.

The gap to Arsenal is still substantial, but so is the quality of the reigning champions.

Their treble hopes are still alive. Liverpool is clinging to sixth place.

The victory cut the gap on Arsenal to five points at the end of the game, and it served as a timely reminder that Guardiola’s team is still a potent force even without their top scorer Erling Haaland, who was watching – and cheering – his teammates from the stands.

How both teams lined up

Man City: 

Ederson , Stones, Akanji , Dias, Ake , Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Grealish, Mahrez, Alvarez.

Liverpool: 

Alisson l, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott, Gakpo,Jota, Salah.