Liverpool put in one of their best performances of the season to come away with three points at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Reds have a poor record at the Manchester City ground having failed to win there in the Premier League since 2015.

However, with City having a bad season – and missing top scorer Erling Haaland – there was a real chance for Liverpool to put that right on Sunday.

From the moment Mohamed Salah fired in his 30th goal of the season in the 14th minute, a win never really looked in doubt.

Diogo Jota out as Arne Slot makes Liverpool change and Erling Haaland missing for Man City	Confirmed Liverpool lineup vs. Man City: Only 1 change, Gakpo on bench!	Confirmed Liverpool line-up

Liverpool moved 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and are now surely on course for a 20th league title.

It was a big day for Arne Slot, who made some interesting decisions with his Liverpool team.

After leaving out both Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez and playing without a recognised centre-forward, Slot has spoken out to explain his thinking.

Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

It was not altogether a surprise to see Slot drop both Jota and Nunez at the Etihad.

The Liverpool head coach saw both players squander big chances to get the win at Aston Villa in midweek.

Slot called Nunez out for a lack of effort after that game, while Jota is still being managed a little after a fairly lengthy injury.

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And speaking to LFCTV, the Dutch coach admitted that the fitness of Jota had played a part in his thinking, as well as the need to tailor his tactics towards playing against City.

“First of all Diogo Jota told me yesterday that he wasn’t fully recovered yet, so he couldn’t start,” said Slot.

“Cody Gakpo only trained for the first time yesterday, so that means two attacking options less.”

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“And I felt if you play away at City you have to defend a lot.

Darwin has had an impact whenever we needed him, but his main strength is not defending in and around his own box.
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