LIVERPOOL, INSPIRED BY match-winner Philippe Coutinho, dealt Manchester City a huge blow in the Premier League title race with a 2-1 win at Anfield.
After a bright start, the Reds took the lead through a sensational Jordan Henderson goal, the midfielder cutting inside on the break – capitalising upon a Vincent Kompany error – to curl a powerful long-ranger well out of the reach of Joe Hart into the top corner.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men got back into it through Edin Dzeko’s equaliser in the 25th minute but Liverpool’s dominance told as the second half wore on, Coutinho plundering the winner with an astonishing thunderbolt into the corner of the net from the left flank.
The result sees Liverpool move ahead of Southampton into fifth place, while City remain five points behind leaders Chelsea having played a game more.
A frenetic start was dominated by Liverpool – who made four changes from their defeat to Besiktas on Thursday – with Adam Lallana twice going close. His first effort was saved by Hart after a superb pass from Coutinho and, although the second beat the City goalkeeper, it was ruled out for offside.
Any disappointment quickly faded, though, as Henderson arrowed in a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area after 11 minutes. Coutinho was again involved as he robbed Kompany before combining with Raheem Sterling to get the ball to Henderson, the Liverpool captain giving Hart no chance with a powerful shot into the top-right corner.
City – who also made four changes following midweek European disappointment against Barcelona – responded strongly, Aguero sending a low drive against the post a minute after Henderson’s opener.
The champions continued to press and a crisp passing move involving Yaya Toure, David Silva and Aguero saw Dzeko bring them level after 25 minutes. The striker collected a perfectly weighted reverse pass from his Argentine strike partner before firing past Simon Mignolet from 12 yards.
Both sides wasted chances early in the second half as Aguero and Sterling failed to convert from inside the penalty area, while Lallana had a second effort ruled out by the assistant referee. Silva then spurned a promising position for City with an over-hit free kick.
That proved to be costly as Liverpool finally made their possession pay, Coutinho cutting in from the left, evading the challenge of Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta to secure the win.
Aguero went agonisingly close to earning City a point with a low effort after 79 minutes but the visitors were unable to find a second goal and, after late misses at both ends by Daniel Sturridge and Silva, handed the advantage to Chelsea in the race for the title.
Good news for United.
@Adrian Costigan: so long as it doesn’t bother Martial…
@EK: is he that sensitive? According to Jose, all his players could do with a rest already.
@Jason Brosnahan: most players would be to be fair but hopefully makes him hungry for next game after the international break.
@Irishoverseas: united fans shouldn’t care if their players are not picked for international duty. Seems a lot are taking it as a personal insult to the boy and the club that he’s not been selected. I would be happy so see Liverpool players not selected for internationals, less chance of them coming back injured.
@Jason Brosnahan: True story Jason.
Clearly Deschamps looking at the Martin O’Neill model of leaving out in form strikers.
@Ardmore02: very easy to be in form against bad opponents
@Jamie: completely obsessed
@Jamie: You OK, darling?
@Dave Murray: I’m ok Hun PM me
Clearly personal
@Johnny Bravo: who told you
@Johnny Bravo: well done Johnny. Not rising to that arse holes bait. If everyone did that he’d soon go back to his porn stash.
@Gerry Ivie: it’s 2017 not 1997 who has a open stash these days?
@Gerry Ivie: *porn (not open)
Must be a fallout there
@Rons: It’s Deschamps at the end of the day.
Hardly a big shock,sure United have only played weak teams so far it’s easy to play great against poor opposition he’d be found out for the player he is at international level that’s why he wasn’t picked
@Jamie: You’re suffering big time from writers block. October 28 against Spurs, United’s first match against one of the big sides. He’ll do the business then.
@Jamie: how many more times are you planning on making the same point? We get it. You’re obsessed with United and their success.
@Jamie: You are argument doesn’t hold much weight when Thauvin who plays for an average french team who isn’t pulling up any trees either and Coman who’s barely played this season are ahead of him. So it has to be a personal matter.
@Damien Costello: He’s sore after the last few nights of football. That’s all.
@Nollaig Elliot: just a lot of United fans are in denial about their form at the minute, only time will tell eh
@Jamie: Sure we’ll find out when Utd play Spurs in a few weeks, I guess.
@Nollaig Elliot: it’s all a bit of craic be something wrong if I got sore against a game of football
@Dave that’s right United’s first big game of the season
@Jamie: over a game
@Jamie: I’m hearing ya mate.
@Jamie: Come on now Jamie international football I not the standard anymore the club game is the bread and butter and top champions league level is the highest standard.
@Eamonn Dunne: yes top champions league level like Madrid Barcelona etc not a Moscow team