Philippe Coutinho delivered a major blow to Manchester City’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title as his stunning 75th-minute strike claimed all three points for Liverpool at Anfield.

The Brazil international proved to be the difference as the Reds maintained their top-four challenge with the win.

Coutinho had been instrumental in the move, which led to Jordan Henderson opening the scoring with a superb curling shot in the 11th minute. But City hit back when Edin Dzeko slid Sergio Aguero’s superb ball past Simon Mignolet in the 25th minute.

However, with 15 minutes remaining, Raheem Sterling found Coutinho on the left corner of the City area, and the South American sent a brilliant curling effort beyond Joe Hart.

Daniel Sturridge started on the bench for Liverpool with Sterling playing a central role up front. Alberto Moreno came in for Jordon Ibe at left-back.

Yaya Toure made his return to Premier League action after African Cup of Nations duty, while Eliaquim Mangala replaced Martin Demichelis from the team which lost to Barcelona in the Champions League. Fernandinho came in for Fernando in midfield, with Aleksandar Kolarov in for Gael Clichy.

Great early play from Dzeko saw him roll the ball around Emre Can to find Aguero in the Liverpool area, but the striker was adjudged to be offside.

The home side had been on the backfoot in the opening stages, but a fine through ball from Coutinho freed Adam Lallana for a run on goal but the midfielder could only poke the ball at Hart, who saved comfortably.

Lallana had the ball in the net moments later, but was offside from Coutinho’s cross.

In the 11th minute, Liverpool took the lead courtesy of a Vincent Kompany error. The City captain mis-judged the ball on the halfway line, allowing Coutinho to steal possession.

The Brazilian found Sterling, who in turn played it to Henderson, and the Liverpool midfielder curled beyond Hart from the edge of the area.

At the other end, Liverpool goalkeeper Mignolet hesitated as David Silva played a long pass over the top to allow Aguero to rifle off a strike, which thundered off the post and away from danger.

The game was being played at break-neck speed in the opening stages with little time for either side to draw breath.

Another superb pass from Coutinho, with the outside of his right boot, set Sterling in motion in the 23rd minute, but there were no takers when the England international crossed into the City area. 

Liverpool had been in charge of the game, but conceded an equaliser to a great piece of City play in the 25th minute.

Toure’s long ball found David Silva in the Liverpool half, and he found a great pass to Aguero on the edge of the area.

The City striker held up the ball before placing a perfect pass into Dzeko in the area, and the Bosnian slid it under Mignolet. It was a barely deserved leveller, but its execution was excellent. 

Lazar Markovic almost set up Lallana with a clipped ball into the area, but the former Southampton man’s angled effort drifted just wide in the 35th minute.

Sterling looked to be on course to put Liverpool ahead in first-half injury-time, but he could not control Lallana’s backheel into his path to get a close-range shot off.

There was an early second-half opportunity for City when Pablo Zabaleta cut back a cross for Aguero, whose header narrowly flew over the crossbar.

But Liverpool proved they remained a threat when, after a great passing move, Lallana sent the ball over to Sterling inside the City area, but he could not find his feet under pressure from the visiting defence.

Lallana had the ball in the back of the net in the 54th minute, but Martin Skrtel was offside at the preceding free-kick.

Samir Nasri was cautioned for tripping Coutinho in the 58th minute. James Milner came on to replace Dzeko as Manuel Pellegrini sought to close down the spaces in midfield.

A series of mis-placed passes from both sides saw the game lose the speed of the first period, but the threat of a further goal remained.

Then in the 75th minute, Coutinho produced a goal out of nothing to stun City. Sterling chased goalwards before finding the former Inter Milan man on the left corner of the City area. The South American looked up before sending a brilliant curling shot beyond Hart.

As Liverpool celebrated, manager Brendan Rodgers brought Sturridge on for Markovic. City responded by bringing Wilfried Bony on for Fernandinho.

Aguero worked himself some space in the 79th minute, but his angled shot drifted wide of Mignolet’s goal.

Milner was booked after a tangle with Sterling before Moreno came off as Kolo Toure lined up against his brother Yaya for the first time. Frank Lampard also made an appearance as he came on for Nasri.

Bony was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card after leading with his arm in a challenge on Lallana in the 85th minute.

Toure burst through in the final minute before Silva sent a shot wide of goal as City chased an equaliser.

However, Liverpool held on to bounce back from their midweek Europa League exit, while City were left to lick their wounds after the Champions League loss to Barcelona.

 

Selected Player Ratings

Philippe Coutinho: A+

The Liverpool midfielder ran the show early on and was the architect of Henderson’s goal. A superb display which proved the decision to rest him in the Europa League was worthwhile.

 

Vincent Kompany: B

Manchester City supporters must be wondering what has happened to their captain in recent weeks. But today provided a nadir for the Belgium international after being easily dispossessed for Liverpool’s opening goal.

 

Joe Allen: A

The Wales international might not be of the same caliber as Coutinho, but his role proved just as crucial for Liverpool as he marked the space City could utilise. Provided the blocking for the threat of David Silva in the opening period and rarely missed a pass.

 

Post-Match Reaction

 

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1aGN5Nc
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J