Man City transfer news: Pep Guardiola ‘requests’ signing of Real Madrid superstar to support Erling Haaland

The Etihad Stadium shook with noise, colour and belief as Manchester City produced one of their most commanding performances of the season, sweeping aside Liverpool 3-0 in a fiery Premier League clash that reminded the football world why Pep Guardiola’s men are still the standard of excellence. Jeremy Doku, the electric Belgian winger, delivered a masterclass on the left wing — humiliating defenders, breaking lines with ease, and capping it off with a stunning goal that left Liverpool frozen in disbelief. This was not just a win; it was a statement — a message to Arsenal, to the rest of England, and perhaps even to Europe, that Manchester City are coming again.

From the very first whistle, the energy inside the Etihad was different. The crowd sensed that something special was about to unfold. The game started with Liverpool pressing high, as they always do, trying to force City into mistakes at the back. But Pep’s team looked calm, composed, and in total control. Rodri dictated the rhythm like a conductor, stones glided between midfield and defence, and Doku was already causing panic with his pace. Every time he touched the ball, there was a murmur in the stands — the kind that only special players inspire.

Liverpool had their moments too. Mohamed Salah tried to spark his side into life, while Darwin Nunez’s early run nearly caught City’s defence off guard. But there was something missing in Liverpool’s play. Their passing wasn’t sharp enough, their movement slightly hesitant, and the Etihad crowd fed off that uncertainty. Erling Haaland, who had been quiet in the early minutes, suddenly exploded into life when City earned a penalty.

It came after Doku twisted and turned his way into the box, forcing Joe Gomez into a desperate challenge. The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. The stadium erupted. Haaland stepped up, eyes locked on Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. You could feel the tension. The Norwegian giant took a deep breath, ran up, and smashed the ball low — but Mamardashvili guessed right, diving down to his left and pushing it away. A roar of relief came from the Liverpool end. For a moment, it looked like the Reds had been handed a lifeline.

But Haaland is not the kind of player who hides after a setback. He thrives on frustration, turns anger into energy. And just ten minutes later, he got his revenge. The ball broke kindly after a Rodri interception, and with his first touch, Haaland brushed off Virgil van Dijk and fired a thunderous strike past Mamardashvili. The Etihad exploded. Pep Guardiola leapt into the air, fists clenched. City were 1-0 up, and it felt like the beginning of another long afternoon for Liverpool.

Jürgen Klopp’s side thought they had found an equaliser not long after. A perfectly delivered corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold met Van Dijk’s powerful head, and the ball flew into the net. Liverpool celebrated wildly — but their joy didn’t last. VAR stepped in, checking for offside. Andy Robertson, who had strayed just ahead of City’s line during the build-up, was judged to be interfering with play. The goal was ruled out. The Liverpool bench protested furiously, Klopp waving his arms in disbelief. But the decision stood. It was still 1-0 to City, and the momentum stayed blue

Moments later, City doubled their lead. This time, it was Nico González — the young English midfielder who has been making waves under Guardiola. Picking the ball up about 22 yards from goal, he let fly with a strike that took a wicked deflection off Van Dijk and spun past the helpless goalkeeper. 2-0. The Etihad erupted again. Guardiola turned toward his bench and applauded. He knew this was the type of football that defined his City side — unpredictable, ruthless, and beautiful all at once.

Liverpool tried to regroup. Klopp threw on fresh legs, urging his players to press higher. But every time they pushed forward, City found space behind them. Doku, in particular, was unstoppable. He danced past Trent, glided past Konaté, and made even Van Dijk — the usually unshakable Dutch wall — look uncomfortable. The crowd began chanting his name louder and louder. It was one of those afternoons where every dribble felt like magic, every touch a spark

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for — Doku’s goal. It started with a sweeping counterattack. Phil Foden carried the ball down the middle, slipped a clever pass out wide, and Doku took over. He cut inside, feinted past Gomez, opened up his body, and whipped a curling shot into the far corner. The ball kissed the post and went in. Pure perfection. 3-0. Guardiola bowed his head for a second, then smiled. He had seen that kind of brilliance before — from Messi, from Neymar — and now he was watching Doku do it in Manchester blue.

Liverpool looked broken. Salah’s shoulders dropped, Robertson shouted in frustration, and Mamardashvili kicked the post in anger. The Reds had been outplayed, out-thought, and out-fought. City’s fans began to sing: “Champions again!” It was early, but the message was clear. With this kind of form, few teams can stop Pep’s machine.

Guardiola, as always, demanded perfection until the final whistle. Even at 3-0, he barked instructions, urging his players to keep the ball moving, to stay alert, to not let Liverpool find any hope. Haaland nearly added a fourth when he met a Kevin De Bruyne cross, but his header went inches wide. Doku almost scored again too — another solo run that ended with a shot just over the bar. The crowd responded with applause, the kind reserved for geniuses.

When the whistle finally blew, the entire stadium stood up. Pep hugged Doku first, patting him on the head like a proud father. Haaland came over to join, and the trio smiled — a picture of confidence and unity. For City, this win meant more than just three points. It was a reminder of their power. They moved up to second in the Premier League, four points behind Arsenal, but it was the manner of victory that mattered most. They had destroyed Liverpool, one of their fiercest rivals, with a mix of artistry and efficiency

Klopp admitted afterward that his side were second best. “They were better today. We didn’t defend well enough. Doku was unplayable,” he said in his post-match interview, his tone one of resignation. The Liverpool boss looked tired, perhaps aware that closing the gap on City this season might already be slipping away.

For Doku, this was the kind of game that changes reputations. He had arrived at City with questions — could he adapt to Guardiola’s system, could he handle the Premier League, could he be consistent? On this Sunday, he answered all of them. He wasn’t just part of the system; he was the spark that made it come alive. Every touch he made felt like a highlight reel, every sprint a threat. At 22 years old, Doku now looks ready to become the next superstar in Guardiola’s evolving masterpiece.

Haaland, too, showed his relentless mentality. Missing a penalty can break some players, but for him, it only fuelled the fire. His goal was vintage Haaland — strength, precision, and cold efficiency. With 18 goals already this season, he continues to redefine what it means to be a striker in modern football.

The young Nico González’s performance also stood out. Calm on the ball, brave in tackles, and rewarded with a goal — he looked like a player growing into City’s future. It’s these small stories, these young heroes stepping up alongside global superstars, that keep Guardiola’s project so fresh and dangerous

As the players walked off, the Etihad was still buzzing. The fans had seen something special — a glimpse of the beautiful chaos that makes Manchester City the most exciting team in England. Doku’s smile said it all. For him, this was more than just a great performance. It was a moment that would live in the memory of every fan who witnessed it.

In the tunnel, cameras caught Guardiola hugging Doku again and whispering something in his ear. Maybe it was praise, maybe a lesson — with Pep, it’s always both. But the bond between them is already growing. The manager has found another gem, another player who can carry his vision forward.

Outside the stadium, City fans sang deep into the night. Some talked about Doku as the next big thing. Others said this was the match that reignited their title charge. Everyone agreed on one thing — this was Manchester City at their breathtaking best.

The Premier League table now tells a story of balance and danger. Arsenal lead, but City are lurking, patient and hungry. With Haaland firing, Foden evolving, and Doku dazzling, it feels inevitable that Pep’s men will keep pushing.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have questions to answer. Their defence looked vulnerable, their midfield outclassed. Klopp’s rebuild is still ongoing, but performances like this show how far they still have to go to match City’s level.

But for today, all eyes were on Jeremy Doku — the boy from Belgium who came, danced, and conquered. His name echoed through the stands long after the final whistle, carried by a wind of blue pride. Manchester City 3, Liverpool 0 — a result that goes beyond numbers, a story of brilliance, resilience, and footballing beauty.

And somewhere, Pep Guardiola will sit tonight with a smile, knowing his City are once again writing history — one masterpiece at a time.