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
28 minutes
Sterling runs in behind the Liverpool defence and cuts back for David Silva. The Spaniard has a shot on his right, but he hits it awkwardly and without any real conviction. That's the first shot of the game for City.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
31 minutes
Kompany is in the book for a lunging challenge on Salah. Stones' pass was a loose one and the Belgian had to stretch to retrieve the ball. Salah might have been through on goal had he not made the challenge.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
33 minutes
Aguero plays the ball in behind for Sane, whose pull back is hacked away emphatically by the imperious Van Dijk. The Dutchman has been a rock at the back once again so far.
Manchester City 0-0 Liverpool
38 minutes
Milner feeds Salah, who looks to jink past Kompany. City's captain stands firm, though, and comes away with the ball.
Wijnaldum then picks up a booking for a pull back on Sane.
GOAL! Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool (Aguero)
40 minutes
Aguero does it again! City ramp up the pressure, Silva pulls the ball across and the Argentine forward sets up the shot. On his left foot, from an acute angle, he smashes the ball into the roof of the net past Alisson. It's a brilliant finish, and City lead.
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
44 minutes
The Etihad is rocking now and City are on top. Liverpool, you feel, will just want to get through to half time now. They had restricted the hosts to very few chances, but a moment of brilliance from Aguero has made the difference.
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
45 minutes
Two minutes of added time will be played.
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
45+2 minutes
Laporte is booked for a late challenge on Milner. The intensity of this game has continued throughout the first half.
Half time: Anthony Taylor brings the first half to a close. Aguero's goal has given City the lead in a frenetic opening 45 minutes, but there's still plenty to play for. The onus will be on Liverpool to attack after the break.
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