City runs riot as Liverpool thrashed
LONDON: Manchester City proved too strong yesterday for Liverpool, hammering the newly crowned English Premier League champion 40, while Sheffield United beat Tottenham 31.
As they stepped on to the pitch, Liverpool’s players were given a guard of honour from Manchester City.
It was the only time they looked like Premier League champions yesterday.
‘‘I think they drank a lot of beers in the last week,’’ City manager Pep Guardiola said.
The dethroned champion made sure there was an abrupt comedown from the partying.
A merciless attacking display sparked by City scorers Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden consigned Liverpool to a 40 loss exactly a week after its 30year title drought ended.
‘‘They were quicker than us in mind; we lacked fluidity,’’ Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said.
‘‘Isn’t it nice another team can be champions when Man City play so well?’’
The slack defending and lack of sharpness from Liverpool was perhaps forgivable from players who had spent the previous 31 rounds establishing an unprecedented 23point lead to become England’s earliest champion.
Such an emphatic loss is not how Liverpool wanted to close out such a memorable season. Especially when there are still enough games to overhaul City’s record 100point haul from 201718.
‘‘We tried to play football, taking risks, because they are the best team I ever faced in my life with high pressing, Guardioa said.
‘‘It is incredible how fast they are, how quick they play.’’
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspurs’ Champions League hopes are in tatters after a 31 defeat at Sheffield United.
Spurs is now seven points behind Wolves and Manchester United with six games to play.
Goals from Sander Berge, Lys Mousset and Oli McBurnie gave the Blades their first win since the restart while Harry Kane netted for Spurs. — AP