A beaten Pep Guardiola taunted goading Liverpool fans with a reference to his haul of six Premier League titles as Manchester City were dealt another major blow in their hunt for a seventh.
Guardiola’s side saw their winless run extended to seven games as they suffered yet another league defeat in a 2-0 reverse at Anfield.
An early goal from Cody Gakpo was backed up by a second-half penalty from Mohamed Salah with the visitors unable to regularly test Caoimhin Kelleher in the Liverpool goal.
Any hopes of a genuine title challenge now appear slim with their opponents 11 points ahead of their long-time rivals.
Arsenal and Chelsea are Liverpool’s closest challengers, nine points behind a side going from strength to strength under Arne Slot.
With the home fans in good voice late on, Guardiola was drawn into a response as he watched the final stages of the clash.
Turning to the supporters beyond him, the Catalan manager held up six fingers in an apparent reference to his tally of titles since arriving at the Etihad Stadium.
Some Liverpool supporters appeared to be chanting: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.”
Jurgen Klopp led Liverpool to their lone Premier League triumph in the 2019/20 season, the only time Manchester City have been denied the title since 2017.