Liverpool vs. Manchester City score: Premier League champs blown out by Pep Guardiola's club

Liverpool's first game since clinching the title did not go well

Manchester City gave Premier League champion Liverpool a stand-up welcome at the Etihad on Thursday before absolutely crushing Jurgen Klopp's team. City, the 2018-19 Premier League champion, gave the Reds the guard of honor as they entered the pitch for their Premier League battle, and then what came after can only be described as a one-sided bashing as City beat Liverpool 4-0. 

It was a dominant display as former Reds star Raheem Sterling scored a goal in an effort that spoiled Liverpool's first game back since winning the trophy. City led 3-0 at the break and had very little trouble with a team that had been dominant for most of the season. 

Kevin de Bruyne scored the winning goal 25 minutes in on a penalty kick, Sterling got his goal 10 minutes later and Phil Foden found the net 10 minutes after that. Sterling appeared to have scored a second in the 66th minute, but his effort that found the net was ruled an own goal by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

It was just the second loss of Liverpool's Premier League season, but the Reds are still 20 points ahead of second-place city with six games to go.

This wasn't a match where Liverpool just didn't care despite nothing being on the line, according to their coach.

"I saw a brilliant attitude. I saw boys who were fighting with [everything]," Klopp told Sky Sports after the match. "We didn't behave like somebody who became champion a week ago … We lacked fluidity … In some situations, 50-50s, they were quicker than us."

City had 12 total shots to 11 for Liverpool, and the hosts put five on frame. It was a match that saw Liverpool waste a couple early chances that could have changed the tide, with Mohamed Salah hitting the post in the early going.

Next up, Liverpool hosts Aston Villa on Sunday while City goes to Southampton on the same day.

Manchester City 4, Liverpool 0 (FT)

⚽ Man City: Kevin de Bruyne (25' - penalty kick)
⚽ Man City: Raheem Sterling (35')
⚽ Man City: Phil Foden (45')
⚽ Man City: Oxlade-Chamberlain (66' - own goal)

[Jul 2, 2020 at 4:42 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

That may end up being an own goal though.

[Jul 2, 2020 at 4:41 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

GOAL CITY! 4-0!

On the counter, it's Sterling again against his former team! De Bruyne plays a brilliant ball to Sterling at the far side of the post, and he does the rest. 

[Jul 2, 2020 at 4:40 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

51' It's all City. Liverpool pushing for an equalizer, but City defending well and keeping shape. City seems more likely to score next as Foden misses a decent chance.