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.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
9 minutes
A first attack for Liverpool, who break through Mane. He plays the ball wide to Alexander-Arnold and his cross deflects dangerously. It's a comfortable save for Ederson, though.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
10 minutes
City are playing a back four - not the three some suspected - with Laporte at left back. It'll be interesting to see how the Frenchman deals with Mo Salah.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
12 minutes
Fernandinho sprays a superb pass out to Sterling, who looks to beat Robertson. Liverpool's full back defends excellently, though, as he has all season, and comes away with the ball.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
14 minutes
Mane is found in some space and looks to start another counter. But Bernardo Silva gets back and puts in a challenge Fernandinho would have been proud of.
Liverpool have dealt with the early pressure and are beginning to settle into the game now.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
16 minutes
Strong defending from Fernandinho. Liverpool work the ball nicely on the edge of the box and it's played into the path of Salah. The Brazilian is there, though, to win the ball back.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
18 minutes
Somehow, Liverpool are not in front. Salah, with a delicate through ball, plays Mane in on goal. He beats Ederson but strikes the post. Stones then strikes the rebound against his own goalkeeper and just about gets back in time to clear off the line. Chaos at the back for City. Liverpool should be ahead.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
20 minutes
Aguero beats Lovren and looks to run towards Liverpool's box. But the Croatian defender brings him down. For that, he gets the first yellow of the game.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
23 minutes
Sane and Silva link up on the edge of the box but Liverpool defend well. The visitors have restricted City well so far and come closest to taking the lead.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
24 minutes
The goalline technology replay showed that Stones managed to clear the ball off the line with about a millimetre to spare. Fine margins might decide this one.
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