Man City 2-1 Liverpool: Leroy Sane’s late winner cuts the gap at the top
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Leroy Sane struck the winner as Manchester City beat Liverpool 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in a fierce Premier League contest on Thursday, inflicting the first loss of the season on Juergen Klopp's side and cutting their lead at the top to four points.
Sadio Mane hit the post for Liverpool in the 18th minute and from the resulting scramble, John Stones's attempted clearance bounced off his keeper Ederson and the City defender did superbly to clear off the line with the ball millimetres from going in.
It was City who broke through five minutes before the break when Bernardo Silva found Sergio Aguero inside the box and the Argentine unleashed a fierce drive, from the tightest of angles, to fire past Alisson and make it 1-0.
Liverpool responded strongly after the break, though, and drew level when Andrew Robertson met a deep Trent Alexander-Arnold cross with a cushioned volley for Roberto Firmino to head in from close range.
City were not finished, though, and restored their lead in the 72nd minute when Raheem Sterling broke from midfield and fed Sane on the left, the German winger driving home off the inside of the far post.
Aguero went close to a third after Sterling led a swift counter-attack but Alisson was up to the task while at the other end Ederson produced a fine save to keep out a Mohammed Salah effort.
Alisson did well again to keep out a close-range blast from Bernardo Silva in the final minute of normal time. Reuters
Re-live all the action:
Preview
What time does it start?
Manchester City vs Liverpool kicks off at 8pm (GMT)
Where can I watch it?
The top of the table clash will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event.
We will keep you up to date with all the action via our live blog.
Can I stream it?
Sky subscribers can watch the game online for free via the Sky Go app.
Player to watch…
Mo Salah: This game is full of players to watch with Sadio Mane, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Roberto Firmino, to name just a few, all capable of winning games on their own. However, last season’s FSF Men’s Player of the Year winner Mo Salah is possibly the most dangerous.
Liverpool’s blistering speed and attacking style suits Salah to a tee and the Egyptian forward has got 13 goals and seven assists in 20 league appearances so far this season. On his day, he can put any side to the sword.
Form guide…
Manchester City: WLLWLW
Liverpool: WWWWWW
Odds…
Manchester City to win: 26/25
Liverpool to win: 5/2
Draw: 14/5
Prediction…
Manchester City 2-3 Liverpool: With the attacking strength we have on display surely they’ll be goals in this one. The difference is, Liverpool’s defence has proven the most solid in the league so far whereas with City’s back line, questions are still asked. That could well be the deciding factor and Liverpool are going to edge through this one.
Kevin De Bruyne is only on the bench tonight, but you feel he might still have a big part to play.
Just ten minutes until kick off now. City are looking to avoid back-to-back home defeats, while Liverpool can go ten points clear of Guardiola's side with victory. The atmosphere at the Etihad is building nicely.
The teams are out at the Etihad. There's a palpable sense of tension around the stadium. This feels like a potential decider, and we're only in January.
We're off! Liverpool get things underway at a noisy Etihad. An early goal for either side could be key.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
2 minutes
City put some early pressure on, closing Alisson down. The goalkeeper slices his kick out for a throw in and the home fans cheer mockingly.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
4 minutes
Aguero cuts inside from the left and looks to pick out a teammate. His pass is overhit, though, and it rolls out for a goal kick.
Leroy Sane then bursts forward promisingly, but his ball in is easily claimed by Alisson. City have started well.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
4 minutes
The hosts are really harrying Liverpool, whose players look a little nervy. They've played some uncharacteristically loose passes and not quite found their rhythm yet.
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