After a timely delivery, Darwin Nunez was entitled to break out the pregnancy/baby celebration that seems to have become as common as a high-five. And in football terms, the moment the Uruguayan fired Liverpool into a lead was particularly significant. If his brilliantly cool finish showed that Nunez can actually discover a fresh composure in front of goal, then the other Premier League contenders really are in trouble.
Nunez soon provided plenty of evidence to the contrary - almost immediately wasting a one-on-one with a strike that was high, wide and unhandsome - but his contribution to the victory that takes Liverpool five points clear at the top of the table was emblematic of their impressive start to the season. Everyone is chipping in, everyone is assisting the cause, everyone is doing their bit. One week, it is Curtis Jones who catches the eye, the next it is Ryan Gravenberch, this week it is, for varying reasons, Nunez.
The whole squad has bought into the new manager. It is a Slot machine. This was not a hugely impressive display, this was no awesome demonstration of power.
But, in the end and with some help from keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, it was efficient. In the end, despite being nowhere near their best, it was a win that always looked very likely from early in the night. Make no mistake, this is a Premier League title that, for Manchester City’s customary rivals, is there for the taking.
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