PREMIER CLASSICS
equaliser, he was ponderous all afternoon. Nicolas Otamendi seemed hell-bent on continuing his Glenn Hoddle impression, lacing a couple of Hollywood cross-fielders, but was as culpable as anyone for the collapse.
Kyle Walker found the going tougher when not galloping carefree towards the opposition by-line, and Ederson not only went down in instalments for Oxlade-chamberlain’s hit but also had his first distribution aberration.
It makes Mourinho’s decision to approach that Manchester derby with such trepidation and conservatism all the more unfathomable.
Jurgen Klopp, with six wins against him, knows more than any other manager how vulnerable Guardiola’s teams can be. This proved it.
It proved little else or signified little else.
In microscopic terms, you could argue, had ref Andre Marriner decided Firmino’s superior strength was an illegal nudge, this particular match might have turned out differently.
Following the late interventions of Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, a couple of minutes more and City would probably have got something out of the game.
And, as for the bigger barely makes a smudge.
Rarely can Anfield have saluted a team that had just managed to get within 15 points of the league leaders with such gusto.
It was the sort of delirious atmosphere reserved for great European triumphs, for epic one-offs, not for making Manchester City just a slightly bigger speck on the horizon.
City will win the title, will probably picture, it canter to it. They are certainly a far better team than they were exactly 12 months ago when they conceded four across the park at Everton.
Before and after the meltdown, in which Liverpool got three and could have scored more, City were probably the more accomplished side.
But at least this was still a reminder they can be got at, a reminder they have weak spots, a reminder you don’t have to roll over at the sight of their majesty.
A reminder you don’t have to listen to the booming, celebratory songs, a reminder you don’t always have to dance to City’s tune. Liverpool inflicted Manchester City’s first Premier League defeat since April against Chelsea, bringing an end to a 30match unbeaten run This was City’s first 4-3 defeat in the Premier League since they lost to local rivals Manchester United by that scoreline in September 2009 Liverpool have scored 85 goals in all competitions this season, just seven shy of the tally they managed in the entirety of last season Summer signing Mo Salah has scored 24 goals and assisted another seven in 30 games for Liverpool in all competitions this season 7 PREMIER THRILLERS THAT LIVE LONG IN THE MEMORY
(May 2012)
Perhaps the most significant of all. City started this game knowing a win would earn them a first Premier League title but when they went 2-1 down – even against 10 men – it looked as though rivals Manchester United would take the trophy. However, Edin Dzeko scored with two minutes of time added on to level and then, memorably, Sergio Aguero (or, to quote Sky commentator Martin Tyler, “Agueroooooooooo”) won both the match and the title with 93:20 on the clock.
(October 2008)
Best remembered for David Bentley’s stunning opener for Tottenham against his former club, this game saw Spurs come back from 4-2 down to earn a point. Trailing to Bentley’s volley, the Gunners led through Mikael Silvestre and William Gallas. Emmanuel Adebayor added a third for the hosts, before Darren Bent pulled one back. When Robin van Persie restored Arsenal’s two-goal cushion it had looked all over, but Harry Redknapp’s men showed a new resilience and Jermaine Jenas’ late strike gave them hope before Aaron Lennon struck at the death.
(April 1996)
Sure to feature on everyone’s classic list, this was the game which saw Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan slump over the front of the dugout as his side’s title chances went up in smoke. Liverpool came back from 2-0 down to level, only to see Faustino Asprilla make it 3-2 seconds later. Stan Collymore soon levelled and then won it two minutes into added time, with Tyler again taking over with his line of “Collymore closing in”.
(February 2011)
When Theo Walcott scored for Arsenal 44 seconds into this game it set the tone for a blistering period of away play, with Johan Djourou and Robin van Persie, who netted twice, putting Arsenal 4-0 up. However, the game turned as Abou Diaby saw red for Arsenal and Newcastle mounted a stellar comeback. Two penalties from Joey Barton and a Leon Best goal gave them a foothold, but they still needed a brilliant 87th-minute volley from Cheik Tiote to get a point.
(August 1997)
Best remembered for Dennis Bergkamp’s brilliant solo goal, this game had far more to it. The Dutchman’s goal sealed his hat-trick, and put Arsenal up after Matt Elliott had scored in the third minute of stoppage time for Leicester to make it 2-2, but there was still time for Steve Walsh to score another dramatic goal. 3-3!
(January 2016)
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp lost his glasses amid wild celebrations on the touchline after Adam Lallana’s last-minute strike gave Liverpool an astonishing first Premier League win of 2016. Klopp’s men had trailed 3-1 with under 30 minutes to go, then led 4-3 before Sebastien Bassong’s stoppage-time goal levelled matters. But there was still time for substitute Lallana to mis-hit a shot into the ground and secure a 5-4 victory.
(October 1999)
Kanu took centre stage as the Gunners mounted a terrific comeback against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were 2-0 up, but then Kanu pulled two back from close range and then, in stoppage time, broke free, skipped past goalkeeper Ed de Goey by the corner flag and then curled in the winner from an improbable angle.