The Premier League title race is back on.
Liverpool went into Thursday night’s game against Manchester City six points clear at the top of the table and seven points clear of the Premier League champions.
They ended the evening just four points clear of Man City after tasting defeat for the first time in the Premier League this season. Jurgen Klopp’s team lost 2-1 to City in the much-anticipated match at the Etihad Stadium.
Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane got the goals for Pep Guardiola’s team. Roberto Firmino scored Liverpool’s goal.
City started the stronger, pressing high, they pushed Liverpool back and made it difficult for Klopp’s team to get out of their own half for the opening spell. As City’s intensity dipped slightly, Liverpool got a grip on the game and put together the best move of the first half.
Their front three all combined to carve open a chance for Sadio Mane. The Senegalese forward beat Ederson with his shot but the effort bounced back into play after hitting the post.
John Stones attempted to kick the ball clear, but his clearance hit Ederson and spun back towards the City goal. Stones raced back and cleared the ball off the line, narrowly missing Salah, who had charged towards the goal to try to tap in the loose ball.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1080921886018670592
Liverpool were millimetres from taking the lead and going 10 points clear of the Premier League champions.
Wow, this is how close Liverpool were to taking the lead.#MCILIV pic.twitter.com/TuRBOSVgVi
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 3, 2019
City were also fortunate to still have 10-players on the pitch.
Vincent Kompany landed an out of control challenge on Salah, diving in recklessly as he often does, yet was only booked for the incident.
Five minutes before half-time, City took the lead.
With Liverpool pinned back in their own penalty area, Bernardo Silva dribbled to the byline and cut a pass back across the box where Sergio Aguero capitalised on Dejan Lovren switching off.
The Argentine striker ran in front of the Liverpool defender, he took one touch to control the pass and another to drill it into the roof of the Liverpool net.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1080927904412897280
⚽️ Sergio Aguero extends his record of scoring in all of his home PL apps against Liverpool to 7 games (1 goal in each)
Only Andy Cole (11) and Thierry Henry (8) have now scored more PL goals against Liverpool pic.twitter.com/QExmPAHPFD
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) January 3, 2019
The game shifted in the 57th minute, when Fabinho replaced James Milner.
The Brazilian midfielder sat deep in midfield and shielded the Liverpool defence, allowing the team’s full-backs to push further up the pitch. Both full-backs – Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson – played vital roles in the equaliser.
Alexander-Arnold cut back inside on his left foot and lofted a deep cross to the back post. Robertson arrived late and squared the ball to Firmino, who nodded home to make it 1-1.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1080938250397720588
Liverpool didn’t have the lead for long though.
Leroy Sane smashed a brilliant effort beyond Alisson, driving the ball past the Brazilian goalkeeper, off the post and into the net. City were back in front and had just over 18-minutes to see out the win.
Despite a late push for a goal from Liverpool, the champions held on.
⚽️ 4 of Leroy Sane’s 22 PL goals have been v Liverpool – more than against any other side
Man City are the 1st team to score 2+ goals against Liverpool in 24 PL matches, since West Brom in April 2018 pic.twitter.com/StPwPQevId
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) January 3, 2019
Despite the level of attacking talent on the pitch, from Salah to Aguero, Sane to Firmino, Mane to David Silva, it was Fernandinho that earned the most praise for his performance.
City’s Brazilian midfielder was excellent and helped keep Liverpool’s front-three relatively quiet.
Some pretty poor performances from City players thus far but Fernandinho and Aguero have been superb
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) January 3, 2019
Fernandinho ran that half. Incredible player.
— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) January 3, 2019
Cracking football, this time from @ManCity and a super finish from Sane. Stating the bleeding obvious, but Fernandinho has been bloody brilliant.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 3, 2019
I hope Man City win this game only because Fernandinho has been unreal for them!
— Andy Reid (@AndyReidXI) January 3, 2019
Before the game, Liverpool had only dropped six points all season. They’re now just four points ahead of City and level on goal difference in what should be an absorbing title race.
