Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City: Philippe Coutinho's strike 12 minutes from time settled an enthralling encounter at Anfield and sent Liverpool five points clear at the top of the Premier League. A sliced clearance from Vincent Kompany was clinically finished by Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard cried tears of joy as his team moved a step closer to a first league title in 24 years with a thrilling 3-2 win over championship rivals Manchester City at Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho's strike 12 minutes from time settled a pulsating encounter, which went all the hosts' way in the first half with goals from Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel.
However, City showed their resolve to bring it back to 2-2 in the second half as David Silva and a Glen Johnson own goal pulled them level, but a sliced clearance from City captain Vincent Kompany fell kindly to Coutinho to rifle in the decisive fifth goal of the match.
At the final whistle Reds captain Gerrard looked to the heavens and burst into tears before gathering his team-mates around him into a huddle, no doubt to remind them that this title is not yet won despite this potentially pivotal result.
Hero: Philippe Coutinho scored the winner for Liverpool in a thrilling showdown with Manchester City
Emotional: Steven Gerrard looks to the sky with a tear in his eye as Liverpool celebrate their win
Passion: The Liverpool captain wipes a tear away after the final whistle at Anfield
War cry: Gerrard spoke passionately in a huddle with his team after a stunning victory
Cheerleader: Gerrard encourages the Kop to make some noise after Liverpool's thrilling victory
Above and beyond: Liverpool moved seven points clear of third-placed City with the victory
Scream: Goal scorer Martin Skrtel and Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez celebrate Liverpool's victory
MATCH FACTS
Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Flanagan, Henderson, Gerrard, Coutinho (Moses 89), Sterling (Lucas 90), Suarez, Sturridge (Allen 66).
Subs not used: Brad Jones, Toure, Agger, Aspas.
Goals: Sterling 6, Skrtel 26, Coutinho 78.
Booked: Suarez.
Sent off: Henderson (90).
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy, Toure (Javi Garcia 19), Fernandinho, Jesus Navas (Milner 50), Silva, Nasri, Dzeko (Aguero 68).
Subs not used: Lescott, Negredo, Kolarov, Pantilimon.
Goals: Silva 57, Johnson (og) 63.
Booked: Javi Garcia, Fernandinho, Zabaleta.
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).
Attendance: 44,601.
Manager Brendan Rodgers insisted the result of this game would not decide the destiny of the Barclays Premier League title but the Reds have four matches to go and after a 10th successive victory are on a seemingly unstoppable roll.
Chelsea, the other title-chasers, visit in a fortnight and a successful negotiation of that fixture would put Liverpool in the driving seat to win a first title since 1990.
City still have two matches in hand but this defeat takes things out of their control as they are now seven points off the top.
With
the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster falling on Tuesday,
floral tributes were presented to Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush by City's
Mike Summerbee, Joe Corrigan and Tony Book before the kick-off and there
was a '96 25 Years' Kop mosaic for the impeccably observed minute's
silence.
But the volume
inside Anfield was soon cranked up to 11 and a clearly fired-up Luis
Suarez was booked early for a late challenge on Martin Demichelis.
The
Uruguayan's next intervention was out of the top drawer as his
brilliant through-ball put Sterling up against Kompany, the City captain
seemingly recovered from his injury scare in training on Saturday.
Jubilation: Liverpool made a flying start and led in the sixth minute through Raheem Sterling
The Liverpool youngster twisted and turned before slotting the ball home past Joe Hart
Helpless: Hart was caught out of position and could only watch as Sterling's shot flew past him
Spectators: Hart and Kompany watch on as Sterling gives Liverpool the lead
Jubilation: Sterling jumps into the arms of Luis Suarez after giving Liverpool the lead
Bundle: Liverpool players mail Sterling after the opening goal of the game at Anfield
Blow: Yaya Toure couldn't continue after picking up an injury in the first half
Early bath: Toure was withdrawn to be replaced by Javi Garcia in the City midfield
Sterling
showed remarkable composure and feinted right, moved left before
switching back almost in the same movement and with such speed it left
his marker and England goalkeeper Joe Hart so out of position that it
created a big gap at the near post in which to drive the ball.
It
was the first time City had conceded a Premier League goal inside the
first 15 minutes and, after Sterling's teasing ball had been guided wide
of the far post by Daniel Sturridge, there were more good omens for the
hosts when City's star midfielder Yaya Toure was forced off with an
injury apparently sustained ballooning a shot into the Anfield Road end.
If City were all over
the place before he departed they were almost clueless afterwards,
allowing Gerrard a free header from a Coutinho corner which Hart
superbly tipped over.
It
only delayed the inevitable as from the resulting Gerrard corner Skrtel
easily lost Kompany, nipped in front of Gael Clichy and flicked a
header over Hart and inside the far post.
The speed of Liverpool's attacks had City chasing shadows - unfamiliar territory for them - and Coutinho, Suarez and Sturridge combined to almost make it three.
When City did pierce Liverpool's defence Gerrard, excellent in nullifying the first-half threat of Silva, produced the perfect tackle to deny Edin Dzeko inside the area.
However, Mamadou Sakho, who kept his place at the expense of a fit-again Daniel Agger, managed to get away with a less precise challenge on the Bosnian as they raced to the byline.
Silva's woeful free-kick driven straight into the wall appeared to suggest Gerrard had succeeded in smothering all the creativity out of the Spain international but, after Sterling and Johnson both cleared from under their own crossbar and Simon Mignolet saved Fernandinho's volley, it was a different story in the second half.
James Milner's introduction for Jesus Navas five minutes after half-time produced a positive response with the England international combining to allow Silva to expertly round off an incisive passing move from close range.
Rising high: Martin Skrtel headed in from a corner to double Liverpool's advantage in the first half
On target: Skrtel got in front of Kompany at the near post and flicked his headed into the back of the net
Bullet: The Slovakian's header was past Hart and into the back of the net before he could move
Don't look back in anger: Hart watches as Skrtel turns away to celebrate
Prolific: The goal was yet another from a set piece for Liverpool this season
Dreamland: The Liverpool defender celebrates his goal with captain Steven Gerrard
Glum: Manchester City players look on after falling 2-0 behind in the first half
Instruction: Brendan Rodgers and Manuel Pellegrini in the technical area
Flashpoint: Mamadou Sakho was fortunate not to concede a penalty after bringing down Edin Dzeko
Fightback: David Silva brought Manchester City back into the game in the 57th minute
Hope: Silva's smart finish brought City back to within a goal with just under an hour played
Handbags: Suarez is confronted by Silva as Liverpool prepare to kick-off
Silva, finding greater freedom, created the equaliser when he drifted left and drilled in a low cross which Johnson diverted past Mignolet.
City were now in the ascendancy and Silva should have put them in front when substitute Sergio Aguero, making his first appearance for a month after a hamstring problem, skipped past Skrtel and crossed to him but the Spaniard guided his shot wide.
It was to prove costly as a misjudgement by Kompany presented Coutinho with a first-time chance which he drilled past Hart with 12 minutes to go.
All square: Silva's deflected cross moments later brought City level at 2-2
Agonising: Silva's cross got a touch off Glen Johnson before beating Simon Mignolet at his near post
Despair: Mignolet watches on as Silva's cross finds a way past him into the back of the net
Decisive: Coutinho pounced on an error from Kompany to fire Liverpool back in front
Strike: The Brazilian latched on to a loose clearance and fired past Hart into the bottom corner
Stretch too far: Hart couldn't prevent Coutinho's shot from finding the bottom corner in the 78th minute
Jubilation: Coutinho is mobbed by Gerrard after his clinical finish in the 78th minute
Gutted: Kompany reacts after his mistake gifted Coutinho a goal
Roar: Liverpool manager Rodgers celebrates Coutinho's goal that sent Anfield into raptures
Gone: Jordan Henderson is sent off in injury time after a rash challenge on Samir Nasri
Loss: The England midfielder will miss three of Liverpool's final four games this season
Liverpool were hanging on going into five minutes of added time and fatigue played its part as Jordan Henderson lunged in on Samir Nasri and was shown a straight red card by referee Mark Clattenburg.
They held on and the team huddle at the end, with Gerrard offering his words of wisdom accompanied by chants of 'We're gonna win the league', certainly put a smile on the face of watching owner John W Henry.
City now need favours from other teams to if they are to reclaim the title but the day finished in Liverpool's favour - just.
Concern: Kompany came out to warm up on his own after concerns about his fitness
Greetings: Manchester City boss Pellegrini shakes hands with Liverpool manager Rodgers
Happy man: Liverpool owner John Henry in the stands for the big game at Anfield
Tribute: The Kop displayed a mosaic in memory of Hillsborough during the minute silence
Remembered: Both teams participate in a minute silence before the game at Anfield
Together: The Liverpool team line up for the minute silence at Anfield
Historic: The Kop display their flags and banners ahead of kick-off at Anfield
Touching: The Hillsborough memorial outside Anfield is covered in flowers and scarves
Tribute: A fan pays his respects to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster 25 years ago
On the way: The Liverpool team bus makes it's way to Anfield ahead of the game
Reception: Liverpool fans greet the arrival of their team at Anfield
Ovation: Flares were set off by fans who lined the streets to greet Liverpool's arrival
| Pos. | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 | 51 | 77 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 34 | 22 | 7 | 5 | 41 | 73 |
| 3 | Manchester City | 32 | 22 | 4 | 6 | 54 | 70 |
| 4 | Everton | 33 | 19 | 9 | 5 | 22 | 66 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 33 | 19 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 64 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur | 34 | 18 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 60 |
| 7 | Manchester United | 33 | 17 | 6 | 10 | 18 | 57 |
| 8 | Southampton | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 48 |
| 9 | Newcastle United | 34 | 14 | 4 | 16 | -14 | 46 |
| 10 | Stoke City | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | -10 | 43 |
| 11 | West Ham United | 33 | 10 | 7 | 16 | -7 | 37 |
| 12 | Crystal Palace | 33 | 11 | 4 | 18 | -15 | 37 |
| 13 | Hull City | 33 | 10 | 6 | 17 | -6 | 36 |
| 14 | Swansea City | 34 | 8 | 10 | 16 | -4 | 34 |
| 15 | Aston Villa | 33 | 9 | 7 | 17 | -14 | 34 |
| 16 | West Bromwich Albion | 33 | 6 | 15 | 12 | -11 | 33 |
| 17 | Norwich City | 34 | 8 | 8 | 18 | -27 | 32 |
| 18 | Fulham | 34 | 9 | 3 | 22 | -40 | 30 |
| 19 | Cardiff City | 34 | 7 | 8 | 19 | -34 | 29 |
| 20 | Sunderland | 32 | 6 | 7 | 19 | -25 | 25 |
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