Liverpool are on the winning end of a seven-goal thriller at Anfield as Manchester City are dealt their first defeat of the Premier League campaign. Three goals in nine minutes from the Reds, scored by Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, had the hosts running riot, but they were made to sweat it out in the end as a late push from the league leaders fell just short.
Here are the talking points of the match :
1. Anfield Sent Into Rapture With A Brilliant Chamberlain Goal :
An outstanding bit of individual skill from Oxlade-Chamberlain who drove forward at the City defence and guided an inch-perfect strike beyond the reach of a full-stretch Ederson and into the bottom corner. The leaders had been dealt an early blow.
2. Parity Restored At Anfield With A Leroy Sane Goal :
Sensational stuff from Leroy Sane! The winger produced a stunning first touch with his chest to get beyond Gomez, bringing down a ball from Walker, before bursting into the area, cutting onto his left beyond Matip, and driving a masterful finish into the tightest of spaces at the near post!
3. Liverpool Back In Front Again :
The Reds were clinical in transition as they got back foot to front in a flash, Firmino simple out-muscling Stones to get on the end of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s throughball, before chipping a delightful finish off the far post and in!
4. Liverpool Running Riot Over The Leaders :
No time to waste for the Reds as they had a thirst for goal that they were determined to quench! Seconds after hitting the post Mane was picked out in space again at the top of the penalty area, and he cannoned a stunning strike into the top corner. Rapid fire from Liverpool, as they went in search for more! They were proving an unstoppable force in attack, with the combination of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah and Mane causing the City defence nightmares! This could get worse for the leaders before it gets better. This was first time Manchester City had conceded three goals in a Premier League game in 364 days (L 4-0 at Everton)
5. City Ripped To Pieces At Anfield :
It looked like it could only get worst for City, and now it had! Complete moments of joy for the Liverpool supporters, as Salah widened their lead in stunning fashion, lobbing Ederson from 35 yards! Absolutely sensational!
6. City Pulled One Back :
Liverpool took their foot off the gas and they were punished. A deflected shot fell kindly for Bernardo Silva, who finished coolly into the bottom corner. Liverpool not home free just yet. The question was could City pull off the most improbably of comebacks? It certainly didn’t seem plausible, but then again, much of what City had done this season didn’t before seem plausible. They were capable of scoring with anyone, but you had to wonder if this push has come a little too late?
7. City Back Within One :
City looked dead in the water 10 minutes ago, and now they’d set up a grandstand finish at Anfield as Liverpool had seemingly stopped playing! Gundogan was on the end of Aguero’s pass to poke the ball home from close range, as Liverpool’s lead shrinks again.
