Man City beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield as Haaland, Doku and Cherki score to extend their lead amid uncertainty over the club’s financial case

Manchester City defeated 10-man Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday, October 11, 2026, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League despite uncertainty surrounding the club’s financial case.

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Second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki secured the victory for City, who took full advantage after Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was sent off for two yellow cards.

The result restored City’s three-point advantage at the summit and extended their winning start under head coach Enzo Maresca, while Liverpool suffered their first defeat under new manager Andoni Iraola.

The match was City’s first since an independent commission reportedly found the club guilty of more than 100 breaches of Premier League financial regulations. The club’s appeal remains a key factor in determining the potential consequences of the findings.

Liverpool initially threatened to make life difficult for the visitors, but the game shifted after the interval.

The hosts briefly came close to taking control early in the second half when Lewis Koumas, making his first Premier League start, was denied by City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City then introduced Belgian winger Doku, whose pace and direct running caused problems for Liverpool’s defence.

Gravenberch was subsequently dismissed after receiving a second yellow card for a challenge on Doku, leaving Liverpool with 10 men for the closing stages.

City capitalised on their numerical advantage in the 65th minute when Haaland finished a deflected Doku effort to break the deadlock.

Three minutes later, Doku produced a superb curling strike into the top corner to double the visitors’ lead and put the contest firmly in their control.

Cherki completed the scoring after combining neatly with Josko Gvardiol before slotting the ball past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

The three goals secured a convincing away victory for City and left Liverpool with little opportunity to recover.

Liverpool entered the match without several important players, including the injured Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo.

The absences limited Iraola’s options as he sought to maintain his unbeaten start as Liverpool manager.

City, meanwhile, demonstrated the depth of their attacking options, with Maresca able to introduce Doku from the bench to influence the game.

The result strengthened City’s position in the title race, although the club’s longer-term prospects remain linked to the outcome of its appeal against the financial-rule findings.

Liverpool have been among City’s principal title rivals in recent years, finishing second behind them on three occasions over the past 12 years, according to the report.

The result was therefore a significant setback for the home side, while City left Anfield with three points and renewed momentum.

The victory came against the backdrop of Manchester City’s long-running legal battle with the Premier League.

An independent commission reportedly found that the club and its owners had arranged deals described as “sham” transactions to inflate revenues and reduce costs by more than £900 million between 2009 and 2018.

No sanction had been imposed at the time of the report. Potential consequences could include a points deduction or expulsion from the Premier League, although the outcome remains dependent on the ongoing legal process.

Speculation has also surrounded the possibility of retrospective action relating to titles won during the period under investigation. Such consequences have not been confirmed.

The allegations relate to a period in which City won multiple major honours and established themselves as one of English football’s dominant clubs.

Liverpool supporters expressed anger over the case ahead of Sunday’s match, with fans displaying banners and chanting against the visitors as the City team arrived under police escort.

Despite the hostile reception, City delivered their response on the pitch, producing a three-goal victory that maintained their position at the top of the Premier League.

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For Liverpool, the defeat ended Iraola’s unbeaten start and raised fresh questions about the team’s ability to compete with the league leaders during a demanding campaign.