No triumphalism from Liverpool fans, just a resigned sense that the football had given way to utter irrelevance. A dark day at Anfield but Man City will probably not be here again, writes IAN HERBERT

Ian Herbert argues that Liverpool's clash with Manchester City at Anfield was overshadowed by a bleak sense of irrelevance rather than a genuine sporting rivalry. Despite pre-match protests and hostile bus greetings organized by Liverpool supporters targeting City over financial controversies, Herbert observed widespread fan disillusionment regarding the authenticity of recent title races.

Manchester City secured a victory on the pitch with goals from Erling Haaland and substitute Jeremy Doku. The writer contrasts the financial scale of City's Abu Dhabi-backed squad against traditional Premier League rivalries, suggesting supporters left Anfield viewing the result as a hollow contest that damaged the sport's credibility.