Liverpool Tactics Exposed: How Doku and Man City Tore Apart the Right Flank in 3-0 Thrashing
Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool wasn’t just a defeat – it was a tactical autopsy. Jeremy Doku didn’t just beat Conor Bradley; he humiliated an entire system. And the scary part? Every top side now has the blueprint to do the same.
Key Points – November 9, 2025
- Final score: Man City 3-0 Liverpool (Doku 18’, Haaland 34’, Foden 67’)
- Doku: 8/8 dribbles completed, 14 duels won, 1 goal, 1 assist – best individual performance vs Liverpool since Salah 2018
- Liverpool trail leaders Arsenal by 8 points (Arsenal 33pts, City 31pts, Liverpool 25pts)
- Salah: 0 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 recoveries in opposition half
- Bradley isolated 42 times – most by any full-back in a single PL game this season
Doku’s Masterclass: When Talent Meets Tactical Gift-Wrapping
Jeremy Doku produced the kind of performance that makes defenders retire early. Eight successful dribbles. Fourteen duels won. One goal, one assist, and a constant threat that left Liverpool’s right side in tatters.
But here’s the brutal truth: Doku didn’t do this alone. Liverpool served him the keys on a silver platter.
From minute one, City overloaded the left: Doku + Nico O’Reilly + Rayan Cherki rotating, Gvardiol bombing on. Liverpool’s response? Salah stayed high, Bradley was left 2v1, and Gravenberch couldn’t cover both channels without exposing the centre.
The numbers are damning:
| Team | Points | GD | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 33 | +19 | 12 |
| Man City | 31 | +17 | 12 |
| Liverpool | 25 | +12 | 12 |
Eight points off the top with Arsenal and City still to play away. This wasn’t a blip. This was confirmation: Liverpool’s current setup cannot beat the best teams on the road.
Solutions: Three Changes Slot Must Make
- Salah situational tracking Against elite left-sided attacks, Salah drops 15 minutes per half. Worked at Etihad 2023-24 (1-0 win).
- Gravenberch + Endo double pivot One sits, one covers. Stops the midfield being dragged apart.
- Trent inverted OR Gomez at RB Bradley needs protection. Gomez handled Son, Saka, Martinelli last season.
The Bottom Line
Jeremy Doku didn’t beat Liverpool. Liverpool’s tactics beat Liverpool.
Until Slot fixes the right-flank black hole, every top side will copy City’s homework. The title race isn’t over – but on this evidence, Liverpool are playing catch-up with one hand tied behind their back.
Anfield’s next six fixtures: Brighton (H), Aston Villa (H), Man City (H), Newcastle (H), Everton (A), Wolves (A). Fix it now, or wave goodbye to May’s parade.
