Sterling gets reprise in Liverpool rout while Berge sinks Spurs

Raheem Sterling scored one goal, and virtually bagged another, as Manchester City hammered Liverpool 4-0 at the Etihad in the new Champions’ first game since claiming the title.

Due to Liverpool’s title clinch last Thursday courtesy of City’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, the Manchester side had to create a pre-match guard of honour for the Reds to walk through, before Liverpool went on to do the same for their opponents throughout the 90 minutes.

Liverpool looked to have found an easy route through City’s high-line to start the game with Mohamed Salah striking the post, but after a first half drinks break, City took full control of the game, as Liverpool’s title celebrations started to show.

Joe Gomez wrestled down ex-Red Sterling for a 25th minute penalty, dispatched by Kevin De Bruyne, before Sterling himself chipped Alisson from close range 10 minutes later.

Phil Foden added a beautifully taken third just before the break as Liverpool fell to bits, and then Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain bundled in a certain second from Sterling for a 66th minute own-goal confirming the Reds’ week of celebrations may have got the better of them, with poor performances all over the pitch.

Liverpool can still claim a record title winning margin, and record points total, starting at Aston Villa on Sunday, while City made a huge improvement on their disparaging loss to Chelsea last time out, and will take plenty encouragement into their FA Cup and Champions League run-ins, despite being dethroned as Champions of England.

©Getty / JASON CAIRNDUFF

In the earlier kick-off, Sheffield United halted their slide down the Premier League table, and left Spurs in a whole world of trouble, with an impressively dominant 3-1 win at Bramall Lane that featured some beautifully put together goals.

Record January signing, Sander Berge, put in his most productive display yet, notching his first Blades goal on the half hour mark after some nice build up play. And after a Lys Mousset tap-in following some more attractive football, Berge bagged his first assist, for Ollie McBurnie’s 3-0 goal that was met by a Harry Kane consolation.

The win ends a three-game losing streak for Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, and leapfrogs them over Spurs, who, despite Jose Mourinho’s VAR distraction tactics post-game regarding a disallowed goal, remain a daunting nine points from the top four.

"Proper Sheffield United performance. Disciplined, competitive, great energy and we played when we had to."

The Gaffer's reacts to tonight's win 👇 pic.twitter.com/r751LlOE9D

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) July 2, 2020