Enzo Maresca's side secured the points through second-half goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki, with Liverpool's task made considerably harder by Ryan Gravenberch's dismissal shortly after the hour mark.

The result restored City's three-point advantage at the summit, although the club's season remains overshadowed by an independent commission finding them guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations. City have appealed the verdict and continue to deny wrongdoing, with their eventual punishment still to be determined.

The controversy was impossible to ignore before kick-off, as Liverpool supporters directed chants of "cheat" towards the visitors and displayed banners criticising City's financial conduct. The away supporters responded with a flag bearing the message "In Khaldoon We Trust", backing the club's leadership.

Despite the charged atmosphere, the opening half offered little in the way of clear-cut chances as City gradually settled into the contest and Liverpool struggled to turn their early intensity into a breakthrough.

The game opened up considerably after the interval, with Gianluigi Donnarumma forced into action to deny Víctor Munoz before producing further saves against Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Lewis Koumas, making his first Premier League start, also threatened as Liverpool looked to take advantage of their home support.

Haaland missed an opportunity to put City ahead when his deft chip over the onrushing Allison went narrowly wide after being played through on goal by a precise slide-rule pass from Antoine Semenyo, but the visitors soon seized control of the match.

Gravenberch, who had already been booked in the first half, received a second yellow card for a foul on Doku in the 63rd minute, leaving Liverpool to continue with 10 men.

City wasted little time exploiting their numerical advantage. Just over two minutes after the dismissal, Haaland fired home from close range to break the deadlock, putting the visitors in front.

Doku then doubled the advantage three minutes later, cutting inside from the left wing before curling a superb effort into the top corner beyond Alisson Becker.

Cherki completed the scoring with 12 minutes remaining, showcasing his individual quality inside the penalty area before finishing beneath the Liverpool goalkeeper to seal an emphatic victory.

The result reinforced City's early-season credentials, as they maintained their perfect league record and extended their advantage over their closest challengers. Liverpool, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat of the campaign and fell nine points behind the leaders.

While the financial case continues to hang over the club, City's performance at Anfield offered a reminder of their strength on the pitch, with Maresca's side responding to the scrutiny with a decisive result.

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