Jeremy Doku explodes, Man City defeats Liverpool at Etihad

In the 63rd minute at the Etihad, Jeremy Doku turned the ball onto his right foot on the edge of the box and curled it into the far corner, beating goalkeeper Mamardashvili. It was a moment that defined an evening as Manchester City overcame Liverpool in the 11th round of the Premier League, and Doku was the centre of attention.

The Belgian winger turned the left flank into his own stage: his speed, daring and direct dribbling constantly forced the visitors' defense to drop deep and panic. Against a Conor Bradley who had "silenced" Vinicius Junior a few days ago, Doku still maintained a fierce attacking rhythm.

Key moment: 63rd minute masterpiece

Receiving the ball from Nico O'Reilly on the edge of the 18-yard box, Doku needed only a change of direction before curling the ball into the far corner, leaving Mamardashvili helpless. The goal capped off a string of effective individual efforts and was a strong answer to doubts about his finishing ability.

Destructive power from the left wing and impressive numbers

Doku started the game by sprinting into space behind Liverpool’s right-back, creating a series of one-on-one situations that benefited Manchester City. In 51 touches, he attempted eight dribbles and completed seven. Doku’s intensity was also evident, winning 11 of his 14 duels — figures that show he was both confident and effective.

The penalty was missed and the game remained unchanged.

Doku's pressure soon turned into a chance from the penalty spot when he was fouled by Mamardashvili in the box. Erling Haaland failed to capitalise, but the dominance Doku created on the left allowed Man City to continue to press and control the tempo.

Instant coverage from the field and commentary

The Etihad Stadium erupted in applause as Doku left the pitch; Pep Guardiola hugged his player in satisfaction. Gary Neville awarded Doku the Man of the Match award just over an hour into the match. The BBC described him as “a perfect troublemaker for Liverpool”, while former striker Dion Dublin called him “a huge nuisance”.

Turning point for the season and role at Man City

The win secured three points for Manchester City, and was a manifesto for Doku: a £55.5m 23-year-old who could become a key part of Guardiola’s attacking structure. The dynamism is still there, but at the Etihad it translates into rhythm, speed and game-winning moments.

Selected Statistics by Jeremy Doku

As the Premier League enters a tense period, the performance against Liverpool could be the fulcrum that helps Doku consolidate his position at Etihad — from an "unknown" to a key drill on the left wing.