Doku Off the Bench Tilts the Anfield Clash in City's Favour

Jeremy Doku started the match on the bench for Manchester City, but his introduction at Anfield changed the shape of the game, and the 3-0 win over Liverpool has since become a talking point. The Belgian winger's impact was the focus of the post-match analysis on Match of the Day.

Wayne Rooney and Toby Alderweireld spent their segment on what happened once Doku was on the pitch. Their discussion centred on the problems he created for Liverpool's defence and on how City used that threat to take control of the contest. It is a reminder that a substitute can alter a match without the pressure of starting, and that a winger who runs at defenders can unsettle a back line even when the home crowd is at its loudest.

Coming off the bench at Anfield is never an easy assignment. The stadium lifts Liverpool, and a substitute has limited time to make an mark. Doku's contribution showed that a fresh attacking option can still tip a game when it matters most, which is why depth across a squad is so valuable over a long season.

For City, the result strengthens the argument that their squad depth is an asset rather than a luxury. For Doku, it is the kind of performance that makes his role in the side harder to question, and a sign that his influence does not depend on starting the match.