Manchester City beat Liverpool and stayed in touch with Premier League leaders Arsenal

 

The battle for the Premier League title was at its peak and what former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson called an "annoying period", but Manchester City's 4-1 victory over Liverpool put Pep ahead, and Guardiola's team is still strong.  

 City's three goals in the second half at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday helped ensure the hosts a comfortable and deserved victory over a team that until last season was City's only rival for the league title.

 But Liverpool this season is far from the vintage of their last season, as Jurgen Klopp's team finished fourth in the top four that the Reds need to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Even without striker Erling Haaland, who scored 42 goals, the city responded with goals from Julian Alvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and the clever Jack Grealish after Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the 17th minute.

Two-time champions City needed a win to catch up with league leaders Arsenal.  Arsenal also won convincingly on Saturday, beating Leeds United 4-1 to maintain their eight-point lead.

 If both teams continue their performances so far, then their match in the Association on April 26 may end in a decisive draw in the title race, with six games left and five Arsenal.  It will be a match.