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.
Half time player ratings:
Man City: Ederson 6, Stones 6, Kompany 6, Laporte 6, Danilo 6,
Bernardo Silva 6, Fernandinho 5, Silva 6, Sterling 6, Aguero 8, Sane 7.
Liverpool: Alisson 6, Alexander-Arnold 6, Lovren 6, van Dijk 7,
Robertson 6, Wijnaldum 6, Henderson 6, Milner 7, Salah 6, Firmino 7, Mane 7.
City get us back underway. Can Liverpool fight back and preserve their unbeaten record in the Premier League?
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
48 minutes
City look the more confident of the two sides early in the second half. The timing of the goal was key, and means Liverpool will have to chase the game now. That's never ideal against this City team.
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
50 minutes
Liverpool are stretched at the back and Sane looks to find a teammate. His ball is poor, though, and it runs out for a goal kick.
Referee Anthony Taylor then falls over, to the delight of the home fans.
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
52 minutes
Appeals from City fans for a penalty as Sterling goes to ground under a challenge from Robertson. It would've been a soft one.
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
53 minutes
The ball drops to Fernandinho, with time and space, on the edge of the box. The crowd urge him to shoot, so he does. It floats harmlessly over the bar.
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
55 minutes
Liverpool are finding it difficult to retain possession. City's pressing is relentless and, other than the great chance in the first half, they've restricted the visitors superbly.
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
57 minutes
Alexander-Arnold fires a shot just wide of the near post.
Fabinho is on for Liverpool, in place of Milner.
Manchester City 1-0 Liverpool
59 minutes
Ederson pings an absurdly good long-range pass onto the chest of Sane. City work the ball across the pitch and Danilo lets a left-footed shot fly. Alisson stands and watches as it whistles past the post.
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