Liverpool truly arrived under Jurgen Klopp this evening as they played Manchester City off the park on their way to recording a memorable 4-1 Premier League victory at the Etihad Stadium.
Brazilian duo Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino were central to Liverpool’s success, but it was bruising defender Martin Skrtel who had the last word with this thunderous late volley.
SEE MORE: Roberto Firmino goal video: Brazilians devastating as Liverpool rip apart Man City
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Skrtel has a habit of finding the net when the Citizens are in town. His fourth goal against them secured the Reds three points which take them to ninth in the table, only one point adrift of fifth place.
City are even more frequently tormented by Coutinho, who created two goals either side of bagging his fourth in five games versus the Blues as Liverpool produced a breathtaking first-half performance.
Eliaquim Mangala turned Firmino’s cross into his own net to give the visitors a seventh-minute lead, which the playmaker doubled midway through the first half from an inch-perfect Firmino reverse pass.
Emre Can joined in the fun to combine with the Samba stars for Liverpool’s third on 32 minutes, as Firmino bagged his maiden goal for the club since his £29m summer arrival – fee reported by BBC Sport.
Making his first City start since scoring five against Newcastle United on October 3, the returning Sergio Aguero pulled one back with a 25-yard curler into the bottom corner two minutes prior to the break.
But Manuel Pellegrini did not want to take any chances with Aguero’s fitness ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League tie with Juventus, and City’s comeback hopes went with his 66th-minute withdrawal.
Victory would have taken the Blues back to the Premier League summit after they were usurped by rivals Manchester United earlier today. As it is, Leicester City sit atop of the table. Who’d have thought it?
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