This was not the day many expected, as Manchester City found its footing to clobber Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield behind a fantastic second-half performance.
City shrugged off an intense Anfield who booed the league’s new villains with vigor from the get-go and for most of the contest.
But City’s players weren’t bothered by the atmosphere, as Erling Haaland broke the dam as part of three City goals in about 13 minutes.
All of those goals came shortly after Ryan Gravenberch — who has been one of the game’s stars — was sent off for a second yellow card.
City midfielder Enzo Fernandez joined partner Elliot Anderson in winning a fierce midfield battle for manager Enzo Maresca, and there really were no passengers in the center of the park.
So, who starred and who stalled at Anfield?
Liverpool vs Manchester City player ratings
Alisson Becker: 5 — Controlled his area in a disciplined performance until the doors were blown off by City in the second half.
Ronald Araujo (Off 75′): 4.5 — Struggled for the first time in a Liverpool shirt as Man City’s starting wings’ quickness occupied the Barcelona loanee. His reward soon became facing Jeremy Doku.
Jeremy Jacquet (Off 88′):7 — All over the back in a good way. Couldn’t have done much more.
Virgil van Dijk:5— Couldn’t read the loose ball’s path faster than Haaland on the opener.
Milos Kerkez:6.5 —The action shifted to the other side of the pitch as Araujo struggled but it was also on account of Kerkez’s solidity. It’s not a surprise that he’s finding his footing under a familiar boss.
Ryan Gravenberch:5 —Committed a game-high four fouls but carried the ball with danger and was one of the players of the match before taking a silly second yellow card. It was a touchy call but not a necessary risk, either.
Alexis Mac Allister: 6.5 — Ran his shorts off on the day.
Victor Munoz:5 — Gave Doku all day to line up Man City’s second goal.
Florian Wirtz (Off 66′):6.5 — Did his best to fire crosses into the box and seek out runners. Missed the near post with a promising shot. Tied with Semenyo for the game-high in xA.
Bradley Barcola (Off 88′): 7 — Very lively. On another day, he produces at least an assist.
Lewis Koumas (Off 75′): 5.5 — Plenty of industry and edge but couldn’t beat Donnarumma with a great chance early in the second half and then was a split-second late to an Araujo cross a few minutes later.
Subs
Trey Nyoni (On 66′): 6
Jeremie Frimpong (On 75′): 5 —Posterized by Cherki.
Rio Ngumoha (On 75′): 6
Joe Gomez (On 88′): N/A
Federico Chiesa (On 88′): N/A
RYAN GRAVENBERCH RED CARD.
Ryan Gravenberch’s tackle on Jérémy Doku sees him earn a second yellow card, and he’s sent off. pic.twitter.com/VlzXqzwDZ5
Enjoying this article? Support our work with a small crypto donation.— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 11, 2026
Manchester City player ratings at Liverpool
Gianluigi Donnarumma: 7.5 — Stood tall to deny Lewis Koumas’ dangerous 48th-minute chance, then parried Ryan Gravenberch a minute later.
Matheus Nunes: 6 — Bad giveaway early in the second half that yielded a high-danger chance.
Ruben Dias: 6.5 — Typically-solid day alongside a typically-solid parner.
Marc Guehi: 6.5 — See Dias’ description.
NicoO’Reilly (Off 64′): 6 — Off his standards but far from a disaster class.
ElliotAnderson: 7 — His 100 touches led all players as he overcame a minor injury to play all 90 minutes.
Enzo Fernandez (Off 80′): 8 — Relentless fight with fellow Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was a joy to watch, as Anderson and Gravenberch also put in the fight.
Iliman Ndiaye (Off 56′): 6 —A very quiet day on the left side.
Rayan Cherki: 7 — A 0.99 xG+xA day says a lot but the picture he painted with his latest goal, putting Frimpong on a slip-and-slide before rolling the ball under a legendary goalkeeper, was much more vivid.
Antoine Semenyo: 6.5 — Started to find his typical form but nearly teed up a goal in the 50th minute and then slipped Haaland through for a 60th-minute chance.
Erling Haaland (Off 80′): 7.5 — Started to find his form around the hour mark but couldn’t dink past Alisson when set up by Semenyo. Then he blistered home to open the scoring. He’s never really out of the game, is he?
Subs
Jeremy Doku (On 56′): 7.5 — Entered the game at the hour mark and had the game’s most touches in the opposition box by the 80th.
Josko Gvardiol (On 66′): 7 — An assist in his cameo.
Ayyoub Bouaddi (On 80′): N/A
Allan (On 80′): N/A
ERLING HAALAND FIRES HOME FOR MAN CITY AT ANFIELD.
Erling Haaland is first to react inside the box and buries it into the back of the net against 10-man Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/YDcWNNj9vo
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 11, 2026
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