On that particular day, it was men against boys as the league leaders met the champions.

It was a match between the two strong English clubs of this era, and Arne Slot’s unyielding Liverpool won handily.

Liverpool’s nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League put Pep Guardiola’s struggling team in the Europa League spots and in complete collapse following their sixth loss in seven games without a win.

On the first day of Advent, Slot’s team can be crowned champions-elect after winning 18 of their 20 games across all competitions under their new Dutch manager.

Although the Kop predicted that Guardiola would be “sacked in the morning,” City’s astonishing surrender, which their manager has been berating himself for, is showing no signs of slowing down.

Apart from Rodri’s prolonged injury layoff, City’s team appeared to have lost all of their confidence and aged considerably in the last month.

Guardiola gave his Scouse tormentors the finger and counted his Premier League victories in response to the gloating of Liverpool supporters.

It would be wiser for him to choose the appropriate team. One that features an actual winger or two and Kevin De Bruyne, his greatest player.

Stefan Ortega replaced goalkeeper Ederson, a crucial decision made by Guardiola, but there was no De Bruyne and very little natural width.

It followed the formbook from the start, with a team that had won six straight games hammering a team that had lost none of their previous six.

Liverpool had a number of similar explosive starts versus City under Klopp, but this one seemed different because of City’s terrible recent performance.

The fact that Erling Haaland was the only player in his starting lineup with a Premier League goal this season, however, was the most startling element.

Cody Gakpo opened the scoring after just 12 minutesCredit: PA

Mo Salah put the game to bed from the penalty spotCredit: AFP

Gakpo tapped home from close range after a brilliant Salah cross

Ortega was swiftly into action, making saves from Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai – included in place of Curtis Jones.

Then Virgil Van Dijk headed against the inside of the post from an Alexis Mac Allister centre.

The pressure was unbearable and in the 12th minute, the dam broke.

Salah whistled in a low centre from the right and Gakpo – included ahead of Darwin Nunez – arrived at the back stick to shin it over the line for his sixth goal in seven games, with City skipper Kyle Walker seemingly unaware of the scorer’s whereabouts.

Van Dijk headed wide from a Mac Allister corner, Gakpo scooped over, Trent Alexander-Arnold pinged one wide.

Then in the 39th minute, something unexpected happened – City joined in and had a shot on goal, Rico Lewis scuffing wide.

The champions were relieved to go in at the break only one goal down and though they started the second half in brighter fashion – even winning their first corner – there was no serious threat on the Liverpool goal.

A sweeping Andy Robertson pass picked out a galloping Gakpo but Matheus Nunes made a saving tackle, then Van Dijk headed narrowly over

And when Bernardo Silva was guilty of a poor pass, Salah nicked the ball from Manuel Akanji, surged clean through but curled over when ought to have doubled Liverpool’s lead.

Guardiola decided it was time to give his team some width, introducing Savinho and Jeremy Doku for Nunes and Ilkay Gundogan.

Liverpool were sitting back but giving up no chances.

Slot sent on Darwin Nunez who was soon instrumental in Liverpool winning their penalty, dispossessing Ruben Dias and feeding Luis Diaz, who was upended by an onrushing Ortega with Walker dawdling again.

Salah stepped up and slotted home the penalty, at which point Guardiola belatedly sent on Kevin De Bruyne.

It was the Belgian who finally forced a save from Caoimhin Kelleher after an unlikely slip from Van Dijk.

But there was no serious sign of a City comeback.