Alisson Becker 1, Mohamed Salah 6; Raheem Sterling 9, Phil Foden 9: Liverpool v Manchester City ratings

Pep Guardiola's City take command in Premier League title race

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  LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker, 1 - Three mistakes in three minutes capped an awful display from the Brazilian and led to the second and third City goals. He might even have done better on the fourth. The goalkeeper has so often saved the team but he bears responsibility for this defeat. PA

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  Trent Alexander-Arnold, 3 - The 22-year-old was lively going forward but was let down by his defensive abilities. One of the reasons he has been able to thrive in the past three years is support from the midfield when the opposition have the ball. That was lacking against City and the Scouser was exposed. AFP

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  Fabinho, 4 - The Brazilian has coped manfully filling in at centre back but top-class teams like City spotlight his weaknesses in the position. He hung out a lazy leg to surrender a first-half penalty. Needs to be back in midfield. EPA

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  Jordan Henderson, 5 - The captain looked at his most comfortable when stepping forward into the central areas. The experiment of playing him in defence takes too much away from the midfield. Getty

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  Andrew Robertson, 4 - If Liverpool are to use their full backs as offensive weapons they need cover when they go forward. The Scot got little of it, especially in the second half, and had to restrict his runs forward. AFP

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  Georginio Wijnaldum, 4 - The Dutchman was the only one of the team’s title winning midfield trio operating in his natural position and he was left with too much ground to cover when City got on top. AFP

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  Thiago Alcantara, 3 - Another early booking hampered the 29-year-old. He does not fit into Liverpool’s scheme at the moment and slows the play down. His passing is superb but everything he does needs to be quicker. Replaced by Shaqiri with 22 minutes to go. EPA

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  Curtis Jones, 7 - The 20-year-old was surprisingly substituted for Milner in the 68th minute. He was one of the team’s more impressive operators and was always willing to run at the defence. He also tracked back, cutting out the threat when Foden was bearing down on Alisson in the second half. EPA

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  Mohamed Salah, 6 - The Egyptian forced Dias into a horrible error to earn his side’s penalty and dispatched the spot-kick with an assassin’s ease. He worked eagerly but was provided with scant opportunity. AP

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  Roberto Firmino , 4 - The Brazilian tested Ederson with a dangerous snapshot in the first half but faded badly after the break. It is not just poor form: he is another victim of the imbalance in the side. Reuters

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  Sadio Mane , 5 - The Senegalese might have done better with a first-half header and he pinned Cancelo back but he rarely worried City once they got on top in the second period. EPA

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  SUBS: Xherdan Shaqiri, 4 - Replaced Thiago in the 68th minute and arrived just in time to see the game disappear into the distance. There was little visible impact from the Swiss, either. EPA

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  James Milner, 5 - The 35-year-old joined the action with 22 minutes to go, replacing Jones. He launched himself into the fray against his former club but little of his contribution was creative. EPA

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  Kostas Tsimikas, 5 - Given his Premier League debut when Robertson was taken off with five minutes to go. At least the Greek will have a small cause for celebration. Reuters

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  MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson, 6 - A little uncertain with his distribution but otherwise had few alarms. The Brazilian was hardly tested by Liverpool and had no chance with the penalty. EPA

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  Joao Cancelo, 6 - The Portuguese was watchful against the threat of Mane and held his own over the 90 minutes. He was comfortable in possession when Liverpool pressed. Getty

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  John Stones, 8 - The 26-year-old is growing into the centre back that he was expected to become. He was strong in his own area and not afraid to go forward. A commanding performance. PA

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  Ruben Dias, 5 - The 23-year-old played on the left, which exposes his weaker foot. He made a huge mistake and allowed Salah to earn a penalty, which gave Liverpool the chance to get back into the game. PA

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  Oleksandr Zinchenko, 6 - The Ukrainian was troubled by Salah but was productive going forward. He frequently supported Sterling and the pair were effective down the left flank. AFP

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  Rodri, 7 - There was lots to like about the Spaniard’s role deep in the City midfield. He was a calming influence and quick to the ball. The 24-year-old also had a good eye for generating attacks. EPA

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  Bernardo Silva, 7 - The Portuguese did not impose himself on the game as much as he might have liked but he showed his sharpness and quick thinking when lobbing the ball to Sterling for the third goal. EPA

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  Ilkay Gundogan, 7 - After missing a penalty in a substandard first half the German might have hidden in the second period. Instead he stepped up his game and scored twice to show his class. Reuters

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  Raheem Sterling, 9 - The winger was superb. His dribbling won a penalty and later led to the first goal. He capped off his return to Anfield by scoring for the first time against Liverpool since he left. Reuters

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  Riyad Mahrez, 5 - The winger never got into his stride out on the right in a tepid first half and lacked supply and support. He was replaced by Jesus with 18 minutes left. EPA

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  Phil Foden, 9 - The 20-year-old was marginalised before the break but blossomed in the second half. He played a part in the first goal, created the second and finished the scoring with a magnificent strike. A top-class performance. PA

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  SUB: Gabriel Jesus, 7 - The Brazilian was brought on for Mahrez with 18 minutes left and provided extra energy for the side. His pressing forced Alisson into an error before the second goal. Reuters

Manchester City ended an 18-year wait to beat Liverpool at Anfield in style with a 4-1 win to take a firm grip on the Premier League title race.

Ilkay Gundogan scored twice and missed a penalty as Pep Guardiola's men moved five points clear of Manchester United, with a game in hand, at the top of the table.

A third consecutive home defeat leaves Liverpool 10 points off the top in fourth, having also played a game more than City.

Raheem Sterling and the outstanding Phil Foden were also on target for the visitors on a day to forget for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who was at fault for two of City's goals.

"Huge victory for us, said Guardiola. "I take into consideration the fact we won after we missed a penalty and conceded a goal. The way we reacted, that made the difference."

City's club record run of 14 consecutive wins, 10 of which have come in the league, has seen them pull away from the pack at the top of the table from what seemed a wide-open title race just a few weeks ago.

"It's an important win but it is February," added Guardiola. "Of course the gap to fifth is big right now and that means for the Champions League for next season it is important but 10 wins in a row in this period is something exceptional."

After a club record-breaking run of 68 league games unbeaten at Anfield, Liverpool have now lost three consecutive home league games for the first time since 1963.

But Jurgen Klopp defended his side's performance until Alisson's first error allowed Gundogan to restore City's lead 17 minutes from time.

"We scored our goal and in that moment it was possible the game goes in our direction, but Alisson made two massive mistakes," said Klopp.

"Apart from that the game ends 1-1. The performance was good enough at least to draw, and that's it.

"We just have to carry on. It's not the best moment of our lives, we have to fight but we have to play as well."