Reds strike thrice in nine minutes to shock City

LIVERPOOL scored three times in nine minutes on the way to a dramatic 4-3 win over Manchester City yesterday, which ended the Premier League leaders’ unbeaten start to the season.

Liverpool struck after less than 10 minutes when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain surged forward from midfield to collect a neat layoff from Roberto Firmino and send a low shot past City keeper Ederson.

Leroy Sane equalised shortly before the interval, but Liverpool blew City away after half time with Firmino chipping Ederson to restore the home side’s lead and Sadio Mane striking from the edge of the box.

Egypt international Mohamed Salah looked to have completed the rout when he collected Ederson’s clearance and sent the ball sailing back over the stranded keeper’s head, but City substitute Bernardo Silva grabbed one back and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan prodded home in stoppage-time.

City’s first league defeat in 23 games this season left them 15 points clear, ahead of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

“Congratulations to Liverpool for the victory,” City manager Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports.

“The game was in our hands at 1-1 but our finishing was not good and then it went suddenly to 4-1.

“The reality is we lost the game, we have a week to recover and prepare for the Newcastle game.

“All credit to the opponent, we know how difficult it is against a Jurgen Klopp team, so aggressive, at Anfield too.”

Liverpool started strongly at a raucous Anfield and their high pressing game was vindicated when Oxlade-Chamberlain surged forward and finished brilliantly.

In an entertaining match which produced chances at both ends, City began to assert themselves before a deserved equaliser.

Kyle Walker’s brilliant pass beat Joe Gomez and Sane, having controlled the ball superbly with his chest, fizzed a shot past Loris Karius’s weak attempted save.

The game continued at the same frantic pace after the break with chances for both sides before Liverpool, in one of the most irresistible attacking displays of the season, scored three times in nine blistering minutes.

Firmino lifted a deft finish over Ederson to restore their lead before Mane unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner with his left foot. Ederson’s attempted clearance only found Salah, who controlled the ball before clipping it over Ederson from long range.

Meanwhile, Arsenal lost further ground on the Premier League’s top four after struggling Bournemouth came from behind to beat them 2-1 yesterday.

After Hector Bellerin fired through Asmir Begovic to open the scoring for Arsenal in the 52nd minute, Callum Wilson and Jordon Ibe scored within five second-half minutes to turn the game on its head. – Reuters