Manchester City 1 – 4 Liverpool (Half-time 1-3)
Jurgen Klopp continued his love affair with Liverpool Football Club after a clinical 4-1 away victory at Premier League favourites Manchester City. Goals from the Brazilian combination of Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, allied to an own goal from Eliaquim Mangala and a sweet strike from Martin Skrtel ensured all three points for the German messiah from Dortmund. Manuel Pellegrini's forlorn side only had a classy finish from Sergio Aguero to look back upon for their efforts, after a lacklustre performance.
Unlikely Premier League leaders
With the unlikely presence of Leicester City currently top of the league thanks to Jamie Vardy's continued purple patch, there is a sense of renewed optimism currently for several teams of breaking into the promised land of the top four.
Pressing approach from Reds
Liverpool improved their chances thanks to an impressive masterclass from Klopp's class of 2015. Pressing high up the pitch from the off as the manager demands, they were in wonderland well before the half-time whistle had even sounded, 3-0 ahead and good value for it.
Mangala own goal
They were ahead on just 7 minutes when Coutinho nicked the ball from Bacary Sagna high up the pitch and slipped the ball to Brazilian compatriot Firmino.
His sensible pull back was diverted rather clumsily by Mangala into his own net, leaving Joe Hart with little chance.
Understanding between the Brazilians
The growing understanding between the two Brazilians was exemplified on 23 minutes when Firmino played an inch perfect pass into Coutinho's stride, the mercurial 23-year-old firing past Hart with aplomb.
Firmino made it three
Better was to come for the visitors just after the half-hour mark. A slick move involving Emre Can's imaginative back heel, Coutinho and then Firmino ended with the latter flicking the ball past the current England goalkeeping incumbent, sending the away fans into unexpected rapture.
Classy goal from Aguero
A fourth goal looked likely before half-time but it was the home side that scored it.
It took a finish of pure class from Aguero though to reduce the deficit just before the break. His curler from the edge of the box was pinpoint in its precision to beat Simon Mignolet and nestle into the side of the net.
The second- half was an increasingly open contest. City were clearly intent on playing at a high tempo in the vain hope of pulling their deficit back, looking to panic the recently uncertain Liverpool back line into mistakes of their own. Given their predicament and the absence of Skrtel’s usual defensive partner Mamadou Sakho, it seemed like a reasonable approach to take.
Skrtel makes it safe
Chances came and went for both sides as the neutrals lapped up the attacking intent on display.
Yet it was the Reds who were to put the result beyond doubt, with Skrtel smashing the ball past Hart on 81minutes after a corner had only been partly cleared by the fragile City defence.
David Silva and Vincent Kompany's absence was clear for all to see but the manner in which Liverpool capitalised on the City failings was hugely encouraging for their supporters to see.
Is a top four place a real possibility for Liverpool this year? You'd better believe it after beating Chelsea previously on their travels and after this display of precision and surgical finishing. With Daniel Sturridge about to resume his place in the team, they should have additional firepower to assist the talents of the two Brazilians up front.
Whisper it quietly, but Klopp’s assertion of a title in the next four years may be closer than they think.
