Liverpool edged Premier League leaders Manchester City 4-3 in a breathtaking Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday night to snap the Sky Blues’ unbeaten start to the season in a tie which was irresistible from kick-off.
Bereft of the recently-departed Philippe Coutinho (moved to Barcelona on a €160 million transfer) and the injured Virgil van Dijk, Jurgen Klopp knew he was up against it but credit must be given to the gregarious German as his side outplayed the visitors for the most part.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain proved he had put all the early-season criticism behind him with a fine solo goal, gliding past Fernandinho with ease before beating Ederson with a low, powerful finish to give Liverpool the lead in the 9th minute.
Manchester City, who were threatening to emulate Arsenal’s famed ‘Invincibles’ side, were clearly rattled and struggled to dominate possession, as has been their wont so often this season.
Kevin De Bruyne continued to pull the strings in midfield but his crosses were inches away from getting converted into goals by teammates and as half-time neared, it seemed Liverpool would start the second-half with a slender lead.
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Their soft underbelly, however, was exposed not for the first time on the night as Leroy Sane beat Joe Gomez on the wing with consummate ease before skipping past Joel Matip and firing in a fierce shot at Loris Karius’ near-post. The German custodian, included in the starting XI ahead of Simon Mignolet somewhat surprisingly, got a weak hand to it and as a result was unable to prevent the ball from nestling in the back of the net four minutes before the interval.
Sane’s equaliser had given City the impetus but the Sky Blues were uncharacteristically profligate, with star striker Sergio Aguero and central defender Nicolas Otamendi coming close to taking the lead.
Liverpool would make the visitors pay for their wastefulness, as Roberto Firmino shrugged off John Stones and deftly chipped Ederson on the hour-mark before Sadio Mane would extend Liverpool’s lead with a veritable rocket of a shot in the 62nd minute.
The twin strikes had turned the tide in the hosts’ favour and with City winger Raheem Sterling having a rare off-day against his former employers Anfield was roaring with delight and urged their side to find another goal which would put the game beyond doubt.
And Mohamed Salah, the club’s top scorer this season, would be the man to register their fourth on the night in the 68th minute with a long-range dink over Ederson after the Brazilian had made a hurried clearance which fell to the Egyptian winger.
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Substitute Bernardo Silva would reduce the deficit after some good work from Ilkay Gundogan six minutes from time before the German would score a fine goal in the first minute of injury time to ensure a nervy finish but Liverpool managed to hold on for a remarkable win.
Liverpool have enjoyed a resurgence in recent weeks and this result was the perfect riposte to those doubting the club’s ambitions for the Reds seem primed to challenge Manchester United for second spot at least.
The fact that they have leapfrogged Chelsea into third place is a massive bonus as well but the fact that City’s search for a win at Anfield continued past Sunday was the main headline. The Merseysiders next travel to Swansea on January 22 and will be brimming with self-belief ahead of their tie at the Liberty Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s men are not in real danger, due to their stupendous form prior to Sunday and the Sky Blues remain heavy favourites to clinch the league title. They will have to pick up the pieces and aim to get back to winning ways when they host Newcastle United on Saturday in their next game.