City inflict first loss on Liverpool

Liverpool can’t now win the English Premier League unbeaten. Manchester City have renewed hope they won’t be surrendering the trophy at all.

A title defence faltering a week ago is back on track for Pep Guardiola after City beat Liverpool 2-1 yesterday, inflicting the leaders’ first league loss of the season in their 21st game.

Completing the packed festive programme with an engrossing encounter, Liverpool threatened a comeback when Roberto Firmino cancelled out Sergio Aguero’s firsthalf opener but Leroy Sane struck the winner in the 72nd minute.

‘‘Pretty intense,’’ Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said. ‘‘It had wild moments.’’

Back-to-back losses for City less than two weeks ago had put Liverpool on a seemingly smoother path to a first English title in 29 years. Rather than going 10 points clear, Liverpool’s lead has been trimmed to four points by City, who reclaimed second place from Tottenham.

‘‘It’s still in Liverpool’s hands, but our performance was beyond anything else I’ve ever witnessed,’’ City captain Vincent Kompany said.

‘‘We went toe-to-toe with a very physical and aggressive team and we matched them for everything, if not more.’’

The hosts scored in the 40th minute. Receiving Bernardo Silva’s cross on his right foot, Aguero got away from Dejan Lovren and used his left boot to power the ball into the roof of the net.

In the second half Liverpool showed why the Premier League era’s perennial underachievers might yet win the English title for a 19th time. The equaliser was created by the fullbacks in the 64th minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold sent a diagonal pass to the far post where Andy Robertson volleyed the ball across the penalty area for an unmarked Firmino to head into an empty net.

Just when Liverpool were gaining momentum, City roared back in front from a blistering counterattack. Raheem Sterling cut in from the left and slipped the ball through to Sane, who fired a shot past Alexander-Arnold and in off the post.