Liverpool fans left FUMING after stunning Marmoush hattrick for Man City

Tom Weber

Updated: 15 Feb 2025 11:41 CST
4 min read

Omar Marmoush, Man City, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

New Manchester City signing Omar Marmoush has officially announced himself to the Premier League with a sensational 14-minute hattrick.

The Cityzens hosted Newcastle in a crucial clash for a spot in the top four on Saturday, but it quickly became clear that it would not be much of a contest.

Article continues under the video

Despite the Magpies boasting one of the Premier League's stoutest defences, it only took Man City 19 minutes to score - and then they scored again, and again.

In the space of 14 minutes, Man City rushed into a three-goal lead and all three goals were scored by Marmoush. Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Raheem Sterling are the only players in the Manchester side's history to score a hattrick in a shorter period of time than the Egyptian.

After four games without a goal contribution, the €75 million signing officially announced himself to English football with a first-ever career hattrick. The goals were perfect illustrations of Marmoush's full skillset: his speed, his deft touch, his intelligent movement and clinical finishing were all on display.

Marmoush could have joined Liverpool

One set of fans will have been left particularly frustrated by Marmoush's performance. Prior to his move to the Etihad, the 26-year-old was heavily linked with a switch to Liverpool.

Despite the Reds storming away at the top of the Premier League and comfortably finishing first in the Champions League league phase, supporters have bemoaned the club's lack of January business.

For a long time, it looked as though Liverpool would have a clear run at Marmoush. Indeed, German media had claimed for months that the Anfield club were the only side seriously in talks with Frankfurt over a move for the striker, but nothing ultimately came of it.

And yet, there could have been an opportunity to make a move. Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that Liverpool were in very advanced talks with Al-Nassr over a lucrative sale of Darwin Nunez for the first 20 or so days of the January window.

Liverpool ultimately pulled the plug on the deal as they felt there was no adequate replacement, but they could have easily funded a move for Marmoush with the Nunez money.

The Reds are still comfortably top of the league, but there is no denying that the signing of Marmoush would have been a major boon for Arne Slot's side.

With the exception of Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, Liverpool's attackers have been quite underwhelming in recent times, at least in league play. Luis Diaz and Nunez have both scored just three Premier League goals since late September.

Marmoush could have slotted in for both. At Frankfurt, he primarily played as a No.9, at City he plays on the left due to the presence of Erling Haaland.

One Liverpool supporter wrote on social media after the Egyptian's hattrick: "Marmoush could have been ours, man!" He really could have, but Liverpool ultimately decided to try and minimise the upheaval in Slot's table-topping side.

People will care little if Liverpool end up lifting the Premier League title at the end of the season, but a lingering feeling will remain that Marmoush was a missed opportunity.