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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool v Man City, Premier League

Liverpool took on Man City, as both sides sought to improve their chances of a top-four finish.

Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Here’s tonight’s team news…

According to BT Sport, Jurgen Klopp has said that Daniel Sturridge is not injured and is being rested for tonight’s game.

In one of tonight’s other games, West Ham already lead Tottenham.

You can follow all the latest Premier League scores right here.

We’re underway…

Straight away there’s a crunching tackle from Flanagan on Sterling.

The home crowd cheer loudly as a result, unsurprisingly.

Liverpool v Manchester City - Barclays Premier League - Anfield Daniel Sturridge may not be playing, but he is at Anfield tonight. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

It’s been a fairly scrappy, uneventful opening thus far.

Both sides are probably still a little wrecked from Sunday’s epic encounter.

Flanagan bluntly shoves Sterling over and gives away a free kick.

It’s already proving to be an interesting battle between the two former teammates.

Liverpool have done a very good job without the ball so far in this game.

Man City have barely threatened at all in attack due to the hosts’ constant harrying.

The standard in this game has been pretty poor so far.

Both sides are giving it away at will, and it feels very much like a League Cup final hangover.

As I type, Firmino tries a pot shot that’s straight at Hart.

Zabaleta’s attempt is parried away by Mignolet, before Navas’ dangerous cross just eludes a couple of onrushing City attackers.

City appear to be picking it up a bit now.

Good tracking by Fernando to rob Firmino of possession.

The Brazilian attacker has looked a little sluggish in the opening stages of this game.

Flanagan loses possession in his final third, allowing City to break.

The defender makes up for his initial error though, as he then intercepts a Silva pass and clears the danger.

Man City are beginning to really dominate now.

They’ve had far more possession and territory in recent minutes, though they’ve still yet to create a clear-cut chance.

LIVERPOOL 1-0 MAN CITY (LALLANA 34)

Out of nothing, Liverpool take the lead.

Lallana takes a shot from distance that catches Joe Hart off guard and flies into the corner of the net.

The England goalkeeper probably should have done better there.

LIVERPOOL 2-0 MAN CITY (MILNER 41)

There’s a lovely backheel from Lallana in the build-up, before Milner is played through and the midfielder makes no mistake with the finish.

City are in danger of getting blown away by Liverpool for the second time this season.

With Tottenham and City both losing, and Arsenal drawing, this has been an excellent night for Leicester so far.

Liverpool fans, meanwhile, must be wishing they could have played this well last Sunday.

Aguero heads towards goal from a corner, but Milner blocks on the line with his chest and Liverpool clear the danger.

HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-0 MAN CITY

Half-time, and it’s been a strange game.

It started slowly, with both sides still appearing to be in recovery mode after Sunday’s taxing League Cup final.

City appeared to be getting on top, growing into the game and dominating the possession, before Liverpool suddenly sprung into life as Lallana caught Joe Hart off guard.

The former Southampton midfielder was influential again for the second goal, as an excellent passing move finished with James Milner slotting home against his former club.

So without ever really getting out of second gear, Liverpool are leading 2-0 thanks to some clinical finishing and errors from City at the back.

The second half is underway…

Sterling was replaced by Bony at half-time.

There were plenty of cheers when that change was announced.

Liverpool open up Man City again, as Flanagan plays through Origi.

However, Hart gets down well to stop the young Belgian player’s shot.

Another City change, as Iheanacho replaces Fernandinho.

LIVERPOOL 3-0 MAN CITY (FIRMINO 57)

Great play for Lallana again, as he wins a loose ball and plays through Firmino.

The Brazilian finishes coolly to put Liverpool three-up.

Liverpool are playing with a real confidence and swagger now, as the crowd cheer their every touch.

As I type, the ball falls to Milner on the edge of the box and his powerful shot forces Hart to tip the ball over the bar.

Liverpool really have the Indian sign over City in the league this season.

The aggregate score over two games is currently 7-1.

Milner evades the challenge of Zabaleta before firing the ball just wide.

Liverpool could win this game by five or six if City don’t pick it up.

Navas has a little kick out at Lallana after the England international blocks his path.

The Spanish winger is booked as a result.

Benteke comes on for Origi. This could be the perfect time for the out-of-sorts striker to rediscover his goalscoring touch.

The ex-Aston Villa man hasn’t managed a goal since 30 December.

Kolarov replaces Clichy for City.

Meanwhile, for Liverpool, Joe Allen takes the place of Firmino.

The game’s hit a bit of a lull in recent minutes.

City are playing as if they know they’re beaten, with little sign of urgency in their play.

Britain Soccer Premier League Liverpool supporters at the Kop end hold banners and scarves. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Arsenal and Spurs have both lost. Unless City can pull off a miraculous comeback in these last few minutes, this has turned out to be a perfect night for league leaders Leicester, who of course drew yesterday.

As I type, Henderson curls a free kick just wide.

James Milner, who’s been excellent tonight, is replaced by Jordon Ibe.

The crowd warmly applaud the midfielder as he leaves the field.

United will be behind City on goal difference only if results stay the same.

Joe Allen nearly scores a stunning goal, as his attempt from about 40 yards out goes narrowly over.

Adam Lallana is deservedly awarded man-of-the-match.

FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 3-0 MAN CITY

So Liverpool do the league double over City, whose top-four hopes are looking increasingly tenuous after tonight’s results.

Liverpool ultimately hassled and harried City into submission, with no shortage of class from Lallana, Milner and Firmino among others.

Both Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand are now suggesting City’s title hopes are over, and it’s hard to disagree.

Right, that’s all from me for now, but we’ll have further reaction coming up on the site shortly.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

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