Match ends, Liverpool 3, Manchester City 0.
LiverpoolLiverpool3Man CityManchester City0
Liverpool took a firm grip on their Champions League quarter-final as Manchester City were torn apart by a three-goal burst from Jurgen Klopp's side in the first 31 minutes at Anfield.
City's only Premier League defeat as they move to the brink of the title has been a 4-3 loss at Anfield in January - and they were made to suffer once more in the face of Liverpool's pressing, aggression and potent attack.
Mohamed Salah pounced in the area to score his 38th goal of the season after 12 minutes and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled their lead eight minutes later when he unleashed a fierce shot past Ederson from 20 yards.
And the third goal that gives Liverpool such a commanding advantage to take to Etihad Stadium next Tuesday came just after the half-hour when Sadio Mane rose to head home Salah's cross.
Liverpool, potentially crucially, emerged from the second half without conceding an away goal, although an injury that forced Salah off will be a concern.
Anfield was at its most hostile - but there were unsavoury incidents before kick-off when fans outside the ground attacked and damaged the Manchester City team coach on its way into the stadium, prompting an "unreserved" apology from Liverpool and an investigation from Merseyside Police.
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Klopp outflanks Guardiola again
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had the better of his head-to-head meetings with Pep Guardiola before this game with six wins from 12 games - and he outmanoeuvred his illustrious counterpart once more here.
Klopp took this game, if not the entire tie, out of Guardiola's reach by sticking strictly to his instincts and the fiercely intense pressing style that so unsettled City in their only league defeat of the season.
Liverpool, in Klopp's trademark style, never took a backward step and have uncovered an approach that rattles City in a manner that has escaped pretty much all of Guardiola's opponents in this stellar season for his side.
They never allowed City to relax into their passing style, with the likes of David Silva in particular simply not afforded the time and space that has seen teams picked apart in their runaway league campaign.
And Klopp also has the attacking weapons that make Liverpool a team to fear in the shape of the potent triumvirate of Salah, Mane and the underrated Brazilian Roberto Firmino, a trio good enough to expose City's defensive flaws.
It was Firmino who picked City apart for the opening goal for Salah, while the Egyptian turned provider for Mane's header to put Liverpool three up before half-time.
Guardiola, meanwhile, had a rare night when his tactics went awry and his team selection was questionable.
Aymeric Laporte's selection on the left side of City's defence against Salah was always heavily laden with risk and so it proved as he struggled desperately to contain a series of Liverpool raids down his flank. He may have played with comfort against Everton's limp attack on Saturday but this was a different league.
Most contentious of all was the exclusion of Raheem Sterling, in such wonderful form, to accommodate Ilkay Gundogan in midfield.
Sterling has suffered on previous visits to Anfield since his £49m move from Liverpool, becoming a target for sustained abuse from his former supporters.
Guardiola perhaps had that in mind when he made this surprise choice but City were left looking unbalanced. Gundogan, a fine player, was peripheral and it was no surprise when he was eventually replaced by Sterling.
This was not a good night for Manchester City or Guardiola. They will need a faultless one next Tuesday.
Sloppy Man City pay the price
Manchester City started well and in composed fashion as they attempted to douse the flames of a fiery Anfield atmosphere - but it all went wrong from the moment they conceded the first goal to the prolific Salah.
City's defence, so rarely put under stress this season, was a mess as Ederson saved from Firmino, Kyle Walker clearing the ball back into the Brazilian's path to set up Salah, whose finish was a formality given his form and confidence.
It gave Liverpool the perfect start and they doubled that advantage eight minutes later when James Milner nicked possession and City's rearguard inexplicably stood off Oxlade-Chamberlain, offering an open invitation he accepted by rifling a powerful rising finish past Ederson.
There must also be questions about how the diminutive Mane was allowed to rise with ease between Walker and Vincent Kompany to head Liverpool's third just after the half-hour.
City's normally precise attacking play was beyond them in the second half when they did finally claim the share of possession they craved as they attacked The Kop end.
They were able to fashion several dangerous positions but were sloppy and wasteful as Liverpool avoided any moments of serious anxiety.
Is this tie already decided?
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was in celebratory mood after the final whistle as he applauded The Kop and whirled his fists in front of Anfield's giant Main Stand.
It was easy to see why - but Liverpool will be taking nothing for granted against a side of City's quality and attacking threat.
Liverpool, however, have secured the sort of result they would have dreamed of before kick-off with a three-goal lead to take into the second leg and that vital clean sheet to act as added insurance.
And, significantly, Liverpool have just the sort of attack to punish a team pushing for goals, as City will need to do next Tuesday.
Guardiola, whose team could clinch the title if they beat Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, will not be giving this one up yet but City will need to be flawless in all the areas they were flaky here if they are to mount one of the great Champions League comebacks.
Man of the Match - Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)
Milner, king of the assists - the stats
- Liverpool are unbeaten at home in European competition since October 2014 (0-3 vs Real Madrid) and have extended their run without defeat to 15 European games at Anfield (W10 D5).
- Manchester City failed to direct a single shot on target in a game for the first time since 26 October 2016 (v Man Utd in the League Cup).
- Pep Guardiola has enjoyed just one win in his past six meetings with Jurgen Klopp in all competitions (D2 L3), with Klopp registering more wins against the Spaniard than any other manager (6).
- Liverpool are the top-scoring side in the Champions League this season with 31 goals.
- Indeed, that 31-goal haul is the Reds' biggest tally ever in a single campaign in the competition.
- 18% of the goals Manchester City have conceded this season in all competitions have been scored by Liverpool (7/38).
- Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in nine goals in his nine Champions League appearances this season (7 goals, 2 assists).
- Overall, Salah has bagged 38 goals in all competitions this season; of players in Europe's big five leagues, only Cristiano Ronaldo can better that tally (39).
- James Milner has registered seven assists in the Champions League this season, three more than any other player.
What next?
There is no shortage of big games coming up for these two sides.
Up next for Liverpool is the Merseyside derby, as they travel to Goodison to take on Everton on Saturday (12:30 BST) while Manchester City host rivals Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on the same day (17:30). A win for Pep Guardiola's side and they will be confirmed as Premier League champions.
Line-ups
Liverpool
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Karius
- 66Alexander-Arnold
- 6Lovren
- 4van Dijk
- 26Robertson
- 21Oxlade-ChamberlainSubstituted forMorenoat 85'minutes
- 14HendersonBooked at 86mins
- 7Milner
- 11SalahSubstituted forWijnaldumat 52'minutes
- 9FirminoSubstituted forSolankeat 71'minutes
- 19Mané
Substitutes
- 2Clyne
- 5Wijnaldum
- 18Moreno
- 22Mignolet
- 28Ings
- 29Solanke
- 63Masterson
Man City
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 31Ederson
- 2Walker
- 30OtamendiBooked at 45mins
- 4Kompany
- 14Laporte
- 17De BruyneBooked at 80mins
- 25Fernandinho
- 8GündoganSubstituted forSterlingat 57'minutesBooked at 90mins
- 21Silva
- 19Sané
- 33Gabriel JesusBooked at 76mins
Substitutes
- 1Bravo
- 3Danilo
- 5Stones
- 7Sterling
- 18Delph
- 20Bernardo Silva
- 35Zinchenko
- Referee:
- Dr. Felix Brych
- Attendance:
- 50,685
Match Stats
Home TeamLiverpoolAway TeamMan City
- Possession
- Home34%
- Away66%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away0
- Corners
- Home0
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Liverpool 3, Manchester City 0.
Booking
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).
Post update
Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Henderson (Liverpool).
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Alberto Moreno replaces Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Post update
Offside, Manchester City. David Silva tries a through ball, but Leroy Sané is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Fernandinho (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by David Silva.
Booking
Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City).
Post update
Sadio Mané (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Fernandinho (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
Booking
Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City).
Post update
James Milner (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Raheem Sterling with a cross.
Post update
David Silva (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Comments
Join the conversation
I’ll go for a 2 -2 draw next week.
most neutrals will want city to win as klopp will park the bus
Simon says Simon knows nothing about Football.
Tough game this for both sides, I fancy Man City to win over both legs but expect it to be tight.
Having supported LFC all my life i have seen us upset the odds on many an occasion.
May the best team over two legs win.
Morons!
Matip is a massive blow for Liverpool though !
If City can starve Salah and Mane of possession I think they can win home and away ... ?
Still a shame these guys got each other as both would of had a great chance for the semi finals !
I feel like the Australians must have felt last week. Utterly let down.
Awesome first half, bus parked second half.
City 0 shots on goal, wow!
As for the City fans, hypocrisy is not the word, after Carragher spits at a young girl United fan you were all on here laughing, yes, it was the same names. Not condoning the bus attack and yes, it was worse than a spit.
All clubs have good fans, all clubs have scum fans - FACT