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 2-1 Liverpool
84 minutes
Liverpool win the ball back and Salah is played in behind. His shot is turned behind by Ederson, but Guardiola is furious with the referee for ignoring a challenge on Fernandinho. He gets a talking to.
Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
86 minutes
Both sides make changes. Liverpool bring on Sturridge for Wijnaldum and City take off Laporte for Kyle Walker.
Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
88 minutes
A final change for City: Kompany is off for Otamendi.
Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
89 minutes
Things are heating up at the Etihad.
Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
90 minutes
Huge chance for City to seal the points. Shaqiri tries to play his way out of trouble but can only find Silva. His shot is saved and the rebound falls to Sterling. He cannons a shot against the outside of the post.
Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
90 minutes
Five minutes of added time for Liverpool to find an equaliser.
Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
90+3 minutes
Liverpool are throwing everything at City now, but the hosts are dealing with it. Just minutes remain.
Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool
90+4 minutes
Ederson punches a ball into the box clear. Aguero then tries to score from the halfway line and only succeeds in giving the ball back to Liverpool.
Full time: That's it! A roar goes up at the referee's whistle. City hold on and close the gap at the top of the Premier League table to four points. Liverpool remain in the driving seat, but this is a crucial victory for Pep Guardiola and his players. Sane's second half goal gives City the points.
Liverpool's lead, then, is cut to four points, and they lose their first game of the season. A defeat was always going to come at some point, so there will be no need for any panic. The title remains in their hands.
For City, it was a huge win, one that keeps their hopes of a second successive title alive. They were worthy winners and this was the perfect response to the criticism of recent weeks.
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