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Dave Howarth
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool v Man City, Premier League

It was Kloppo v Pep at Anfield.

Aguero is back and the teams are in. We’re really looking forward to this one.

Pep’s changed his full backs again while Can’s introduction is the only switch for Klopp.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Milner, Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Lallana, Firmino.

Subs: Karius, Sturridge, Moreno, Lucas, Origi, Ejaria, Alexander-Arnold.

Man City: Bravo, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Stones, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Toure, Sterling, Silva, De Bruyne, Aguero.

Subs: Sagna, Fernando, Caballero, Jesus Navas, Clichy, Iheanacho, Garcia.

Richard Dunne has peeled himself away from the south of France to join Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard at Anfield. Good to see him.

Screenshot 2016-12-31 at 5.20.36 PM

And we’re up and running at Anfield.

Man City win a free kick a good distance out but the reintroduced Kolarov has a rattle.

His effort batters off the Liverpool wall however and it’s hacked clear.

Goal! Wijnaldum 8′

Liverpool take the lead with a clinical counter attack and it’s the first time they’ve really had a go.

Man City won a free kick in a central position maybe 40 yards out from the Liverpool goal. Toure tries to flick it out to Kolarov on the sideline and the home side win it back, the ball’s whipped into the Dutchman and he bullets a header home.

Some finish.

Corner for Liverpool as Mane gets in behind Kolarov — who looks ropey — and then skips inside Otamendi, who does enough to force the ball behind.

Glenn Hoddle on commentary: Tactically at the moment, you’ve got to say Jurgen Klopp has got his tactics right.”

He’s right too. The home side seem to having plenty of joy down the flanks while none of City’s danger men are enjoying a huge amount of service.

Some nice play from Liverpool culminates in Wijnaldum unleashing a long-range shot but it never bothers Bravo.

Big chance! James Milner plays a lovely diagonal first-time ball into Firmino; the Brazilian’s touch is uncharacteristically poor and the opportunity is gone. That would’ve been two.

Simon Mignolet causes plenty of confusion with what Steve McManaman describes as the hokey cokey outside his box.

The Belgian comes out to clear a ball but takes his time and is under pressure from Aguero. He knocks it over the City striker and then tries to place square pace that causes more mayhem. Liverpool get away with it.

City are getting on the ball a bit more with the likes of Silva and de Bruyne popping up a bit more in the past few minutes.

The Belgian forward drove at the Liverpool defence and shot but a deflection carried it behind. The corner comes to nothing but this is the visitors’ best period of the evening.

Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League - Anfield Dave Howarth Dave Howarth

Ah lads.

Jurgen Klopp has his head in his hands on the sideline. Firmino and Lallana pressure Toure in midfield and look to be in but the Brazilian delays the pass a fraction of a second too much and Lallana is ruled offside with acres of space between him and the City goal.

There’ll be a minute of added time.

Half-time: Liverpool 1 Man City 0

Here we go again. No changes at half time.

First chance of the second half falls to Liverpool. But unlucky for them it’s a defender — Nathaniel Clyne — who finds himself on the penalty spot with the ball.

The England man can’t get the ball down to set himself for a shot at goal and the danger is snuffed out. Poor City defending initially though.

Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League - Anfield Dave Howarth Dave Howarth

Aguero gets his first shot on target of the evening. A crisp ball into feet sees him make a bit of space and have a pop. It’s tame enough but City fans will hope that’s the start of Kun arming up.

David Silva shoots just wide!

The Spanish playmaker drives forward with the Liverpool defence on their heels. Silva’s shot whistles just wide however.

Kolarov has another go at a long range one. A City corner is teed up for the defender and his effort takes a deflection or two before Mignolet gets his hands on it,

City have woken up.

Some lovely work between Sterling and Silva down the right culminates in the former Liverpool winger cutting the ball behind Aguero. De Bruyne gets on the end of it but can’t get a shot on target.

Klopp sends Origi on for Henderson with a slap on the backside and a few choice words.

Lallana seems to have dropped back into midfield in place of Henderson who was injured.

More quick feet from goalkeepers as Bravo takes a chance with a nifty turn inside Origi in the goalmouth.

Telling stat from BT; if Liverpool win here it’ll help them to their highest tally after 19 games of a Premier League season.

Navas is on for Zabaleta as we enter the final five minutes.

Some lovely, neat passing down the right involving Lallana, Mane, Origi and ultimately Clyne almost opens up the City defence but the ball is cleared as the latter almost found himself through.

Mane makes way for Lucas and Kloppo looks to be shutting up shop.

Four minuets of added time then and City have possession.

Free out to Liverpool as Aguero backs into Lovren. There’s a smoke bomb on the pitch and surely this is it.

Full-time: Liverpool 1 Man City 0!

It’s a happy new year for Liverpool as they end 2016 on a high.

The Reds keep the pressure on Chelsea at the top and the hugely impressive improvement under Jurgen Klopp continues. What did you make of that?

Happy New Year! Celtic beat Rangers to go 19 points clear at the top

Out-of-favour Memphis banished from first-team after he asks to leave Man United

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