1. Etihad becomes special when Man City and Liverpool step out of the tunnel, in the battle in round 11 of the Premier League 2025/26 that the whole world is waiting for.

In the stands, Man City fans held up giant flags to welcome their team. The atmosphere was electric. A party, no less than when they celebrated the treble.

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Pep Guardiola smiles on his special day. Photo: MCFC

It was Pep Guardiola's 1,000th game since he began his coaching career, from Barcelona B – in a goalless draw.

More than a decade and 1,000 games later, Pep Guardiola is still as fascinated with players who can dribble with ease as he was in the early days.

Despite making the ability to beat opponents with a series of passes his trademark, Pep has always been drawn to players who can make a difference in one-on-one situations.

When Riyad Mahrez left the team, he immediately went to the transfer market to bring in the best dribbler in Europe at that time – Jeremy Doku.

During his time at Rennes, Doku averaged more than nine dribbles per game. Having joined Man City at the age of 21, he still needs more time to learn.

Now, entering his third season, Doku has truly become a top playmaker.

2. In the match against Liverpool, Doku was the best player of the match, and also scored a beautiful third goal, sealing a 3-0 victory for Man City.

Victory over the biggest rival of Pep Guardiola's career – as he himself described it – helped the Manchester team move closer to the top of the Premier League.

The gap between Man City and Arsenal was reduced to 4 points after Mikel Arteta's team's stumble. The "Gunners" were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland .

Doku left a brilliant mark on Man City's left flank, where he maximized his skillful right foot, along with the ability to get past opposing defenders in tight spaces, or cut inside to finish.

It was from such a situation that the Belgian player scored his own goal to dedicate to Pep Guardiola.

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Haaland missed a penalty, made up for it with the opening goal. Photo: MCFC

According to the data, Doku had 10 breakthroughs, 10 duels won, 3 chances created for teammates, 3 shots on target. The last person to do this was Eden Hazard, the derby between Chelsea and West Ham in 2019.

After beating Aston Villa and knocking out Real Madrid in the Champions League, Liverpool went to the Etihad with confidence. Arne Slot's team was stifled by Doku's magic.

The first notable situation in the modern English football “classic” was created by Doku himself: he stole the ball in the penalty area, faced Mamardashvili and brought home a penalty.

Unfortunately, Haaland's shot was correctly predicted and successfully blocked by goalkeeper Mamardashvili.

Even when they escaped a goal, Liverpool were completely overwhelmed, trying to slow down the pace of the match but failed.

3. With Doku dancing to stretch Liverpool's formation, Haaland had a chance to redeem himself. He escaped Konate, headed home from Nunes' cross from the right wing.

Liverpool reacted to Van Dijk's goal, but Robertson, in an offside position, got involved in the action by blocking Donnarumma's view.

Then Van Dijk himself was involved in Man City's second goal, Nico Gonzalez's long-range shot deflected off the Dutch centre-back and into the net just before half-time.

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Doku dances in front of defending champions Liverpool. Photo: MCFC

“We are very pleased with Nico’s attitude. He has a great spirit of learning, always ready to learn. He is a humble, intelligent and good-natured boy,” Pep praised.

In a lavish football feast in Manchester, Doku asserted himself with the final goal. A move that showed all the best qualities that Pep loves in him.

Doku received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, feinted and then broke into the middle, where he executed a technical and powerful right-footed curler that went through a series of players and turned Mamardashvili into a statue.

Arne Slot’s adjustments were ineffective. Liverpool ended their 44-game Premier League scoring streak, melted by the dance of Doku – who combined speed and futsal technique into a super weapon.

“I am very happy with the team’s performance. I would like to thank all the players and colleagues,” Pep choked up, but was ecstatic to win his 716th victory in his 1,000th time as a coach.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/man-city-thang-tran-1000-cua-pep-guardiola-liverpool-nga-vi-doku-2461175.html