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The team news is out…
We’re underway…
MAN CITY 0-1 LIVERPOOL (MANGALA OWN GOAL)
Coutinho dispossess Sagna and Firmino’s cross is accidentally turned in by Mangala.
It’s poor from the young defender, who stepped up unnecessarily in the build up.
Liverpool have started this game confidently, and the goal is deserved.
As I type though, City have just won a corner. Sterling goes down from the ensuing set piece, but the ref ignores claims for a penalty.
Another threatening attack from Liverpool.
However, Clyne delays his pass for too long and Lallana is consequently correctly ruled offside.
Lallana is again correctly called offside after a pass from Clyne.
City are looking really vulnerable at the moment, with Liverpool dominating these opening stages.
Jesus Navas concedes possession sloppily. Milner subsequently drives a shot well over.
Liverpool are so superior at the moment. They really need to capitalise on this dominant period, however, as City will inevitably get better.
MAN CITY 0-2 LIVERPOOL (COUTINHO 23)
Liverpool launch a swift counter-attack. Firmino picks out Coutinho with a beautiful cross, and the Brazilian makes no mistake with his finish.
It’s a well-deserved lead for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Gary Neville is not impressed by Yaya Toure.
The Sky pundit reckons the Ivorian is a “huge vulnerability” in a midfield two.
Claims for a penalty and handball, as Skrtel goes to ground and blocks Aguero.
There are loud boos ringing around the Etihad right now.
MAN CITY 0-3 LIVERPOOL (FIRMINO 32)
Wonderful football from Liverpool!
Can plays through a superb reverse pass, before Coutinho unselfishly squares to Firmino, who taps home to score his first Premier League goal.
Firmino goes one-on-one with Hart, but the England keeper makes a good save, after more sloppy passing in the City defence.
Shortly thereafter, Coutinho plays through Firmino again, but this time, his strike goes just wide.
Frustration for City, as the ref brings it back for a foul on Aguero, with the hosts launching a promising counter-attack.
Lucas is booked for pulling back the Argentine striker.
Liverpool are pressing well.
City can’t cope with it, and their passing is very unconvincing and nerve-ridden as a result.
MAN CITY 1-3 LIVERPOOL (AGUERO 44)
Brilliant strike from Aguero outside the box to give City a small vestige of hope.
Liverpool were caught out after over-playing the ball at the back.
Skrtel does well to cut out Kolarov’s cross.
Suddenly, City have come alive in this game.
HALF-TIME: MAN CITY 1-3 LIVERPOOL
So half-time, and it’s been a pretty extraordinary first period.
Liverpool dominated the opening proceedings and were well worth their 3-0 lead, tearing a lacklustre City open at will.
City, however, having looked extremely sloppy and lacking sharpness for the majority of the first half, suddenly came alive as half-time approached, with Sergio Aguero’s stunning strike giving them faint hope going into the second half.
The second half is underway…
City have made two changes — Delph is on for Toure, while Fernandinho has replaced Navas.
Meanwhile, Can has just been booked for a mistimed tackle.
Liverpool have a corner as Coutinho’s shot deflects away from goal.
No sign of a City revival yet.
City look a lot more solid now, with Delph and Fernandinho in midfield.
The hosts might suffer in attack without Toure, however.
Great play from Can to play through Moreno.
The Spaniard’s cross is well cut out by Delph, as Liverpool threaten again.
Klopp seems to be enjoying himself.
“He’s toiling out there… He doesn’t want the ball.”
Gary Neville is pretty scathing in his assessment of Mangala.
Another great chance for Liverpool!
Firmino is played through, but Joe Hart gets down well to rescue City again.
Liverpool charge through, but Firmino delays his pass and Coutinho is just offside as a result.
City simply haven’t been able to handle the Brazilian duo at times tonight.
Liverpool breathe a sigh of relief.
Milner concedes possession and Sterling squares it to Aguero, whose shot is well saved by Mignolet.
I can’t remember seeing many more entertaining games than this one this season.
City’s teenage striker Kelechi Iheanacho replaces Sergio Aguero, who is only just back from injury.
Coutinho walks off gingerly and is replaced by Ibe.
The Brazilian has been fantastic this evening.
Looks like Liverpool are going to see this game out.
They’ve looked fairly comfortable for the last few minutes.
Lovren does well to cut out De Bruyne’s dangerous cross. City haven’t given this game up yet.
Meanwhile, Benteke is replacing Firmino for Liverpool.
Another City counter-attack, as De Bruyne finds Iheanacho.
The youngster can only curl his shot wide from the edge of the box.
Good goalkeeping from Mignolet, who cuts out an attack in Neuer-esque fashion.
City fans still seem hopeful that their side can rescue this game.
MAN CITY 1-4 LIVERPOOL (SKRTEL 81)
A thunderous strike from Martin Skrtel makes it 4-1 to Liverpool.
City fail to deal with a corner, and Skrtel powers an unstoppable shot home. Game over.
Chance for City.
Mignolet parries Delph’s shot and De Bruyne’s subsequent cross somehow eludes everyone.
Most City fans have left by now.
Consequently, Liverpool’s fans are left to loudly sing Steven Gerrard’s name.
Fernandinho slides a shot just wide, following Iheanacho’s lay off.
Meanwhile, Kolo Toure replaces Lallana for Liverpool.
FULL-TIME: MAN CITY 1-4 LIVERPOOL
Right, that’s all from me.
We’ll have more reaction very shortly.
Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting.
