Liverpool have embarrassed the Premier League - only one thing stands in way of dominance

They may as well start engraving the trophy and getting the red ribbons ready.

Liverpool were simply too good for Manchester City in the same way they have embarrassed the rest of the Premier League all season. It was fitting that Mo Salah scored and got another assist, as he has been the best player for the best team which is now frighteningly 11 points clear at the top.

Arne Slot’s men have only got 11 games left and - even though their closest challengers Arsenal have a game in hand - it is impossible to believe Liverpool will blow it from here.

Especially when the most telling aspect of the game was that this used to be a pressure cooker and a title decider between the best two cubs. But it was all too easy for Liverpool.

Liverpool were slick, ruthless and clinical. They have been on a different level to the rest all season and, even when they have dropped points, Arsenal and Co have been nowhere near good enough to step up.

It is not as if Liverpool have had to blow everyone away. They have just done it efficiently with brilliant ease. Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal football has been replaced by Slot’s style which is less about full throttle and more about moments.

No other player has produced as many moments as Salah who created a quirky but revealing piece of history at the Etihad. The Egyptian king became the first player to score and assist in both games against the reigning champions in a season. That just highlights that Salah has been the difference maker in the big games.

Salah has now got 30 goals in all competitions, he has scored in eight consecutive games in all competitions and, at this rate, Liverpool could add the Carabao Cup and Champions League trophies to their league title.

Let’s be clear. It’s not Liverpool’s fault they are so much better than the rest. But it is a pretty damning indictment on the rest that it has been so easy.

City’s drop off has been alarming and must raise question marks whether Pep Guardiola can get the fallen champions back to their former glories. The January spending spree - £180m on new talent - has delivered some optimism but even Omar Marmoush was shackled relatively easily. Realistically, City’s season is now all about a battle to get into the top four. Five if they are lucky.

If you contrast that to Slot’s new regime at Anfield, if they can get Salah and Virgil van Dijk to stay beyond this summer, this could be just the start of a new era of domination. Incredibly, it was the first time Liverpool have won at the Etihad in the Premier League since 2015/16 and doing the double over City also shows there has been a changing of the guard.

Liverpool are the new kings. Slot likes to exert control but, unlike other coach’s playbook, his style also produces excitement and scintillating quality. Just like the first goal. Alexis Mac Allister’s corner was flicked on by the outstanding Dominik Szobozlai to Salah who was left unmarked and his shot deflected in off Nathan Ake’s attempt to block it.

Marmoush had a go but got caught offside after a VAR offside check. Other than that, it was one-way traffic. The second goal was a beauty. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ball forward was perfect for Salah to turn provider for Szobozlai and his low shot wrong-footed City keeper Ederson and flew into the bottom corner.

City tried in the second half but never looked like turning it around. Instead, Luis Diaz went close and Curtis Jones had one ruled out for offside.

There was a hug of mutual respect between Guardiola and Slot at the final whistle. The baton has been passed. And no wonder the travelling fans were singing about winning the league.

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