Liverpool’s title defence is hanging by a thread after Manchester City’s masterclass on Pep Guardiola’s big day

The universe had decided that Liverpool would be the opponents on Pep Guardiola’s landmark day, he had said. And for the manager who changed the footballing world, there may have been no more gratifying way to enter the 1,000 club. It was a grand day for Guardiola, in every sense.

Guardiola’s first 999 games had contained victories over many a manager but not Arne Slot. The Dutchman had a done a double over the Catalan and taken his Premier League title. A third meeting was…