Liverpool have hammered Manchester City 4-1 in their Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium this evening.
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The visitors started the game brightly, and took the lead after just seven minutes when Philippe Coutinho won the ball off Bacary Sagna before releasing Roberto Firmino, who fired a low cross into the box which was touched into the net by City defender Eliaquim Mangala.
Liverpool looked comfortable for much of the first half, and rocked their hosts with a second goal on 23 minutes, as Brazilian forward Firmino found compatriot Coutinho in the City box, before the former Inter Milan midfielder produced a smart finish past Joe Hart.
The hosts looked vulnerable in defence, and appeared to be losing a grip on the contest when Liverpool added a third goal less than 10 minutes later, as Firmino rounded off a neat move from Emre Can and Coutinho to extend the visitors' advantage.
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Jurgen Klopp's side could have ended the opening 45 minutes with a fourth goal when Firmino was played in for a one-on-one situation by Coutinho, but Hart made himself big to deny the former Hoffenheim man, before the summer signing dragged an effort wide moments later.
City fans were provided with renewed hope before the break when Sergio Aguero picked up a loose Martin Skrtel pass before firing an effort beyond the reach of Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet and into the bottom corner of the net.
The hosts improved in the second half, but struggled to break the Liverpool defence as both Fabian Delph and Raheem Sterling were unable to find the net from outside of the box.
Liverpool could have pulled further ahead of their opponents on the hour mark, as Hart again denied Firmino from a one-on-one opportunity, while Coutinho had a goal disallowed for offside moments later.
City were almost gifted a goal when James Milner played a poor backpass in the direction of Mignolet. Former Reds forward Sterling picked up the loose ball before teeing up Aguero inside the box, but the Liverpool keeper did well to recover and deny the striker a second goal.
Christian Benteke looked to add a fourth goal when he broke free through the middle, but Hart managed to palm his effort past the post keep the Reds at bay.
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However, Liverpool did seal an emphatic win from the resulting corner when the ball found the feet of Skrtel and the defender took a touch and then rifled an effort on the half-volley into the top corner.
The result sees City remain in third place after being leapfrogged by Leicester City and Manchester United, while Liverpool rise to ninth in the table.
Stephen Topping
