Notebook ANFIELD

BOTH clubs’ logistics departments, alongside Merseyside Police, conned the thousands of fans waiting to welcome — warmly or otherwise — the two team buses. Many supporters gathered outside Anfield from three hours before kick-off to see the sides arrive — and we all know there is a colourful history to this fixture, Liverpool fans having previously launched missiles at the City coach.

But the clubs outfoxed the fans, with Liverpool taking a detour and different entrance to usual, while City went the back route and drove underneath the stadium. No trouble was witnesssed and, overall, this was a slick operation from police, who also used helicopters and drones. There were even stewards on the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand with binoculars.

A COLLECTOR’S item this weekend as all three teams in the Premier League title race were forced to field their No 2 goalkeepers at some point. The less said about Aaron Ramsdale the better, but Caoimhin Kelleher and Stefan Ortega both made big saves here.

ANFIELD was swarming with former footballers in the stands or on punditry duty, with former title-winner Samir Nasri sitting in the press box.

David James, Kolo Toure and Steve McManaman made up the contingent of ex-pros to play for both City and Liverpool and Germany legend Mario Gomez was also sat in the fancy seats. Another former Reds star who is often here, but wasn’t at this match, was Jay Spearing, who is now 35 years old. These days Spearing is a player-coach for Liverpool’s Under 21s — but the veteran was sent off against Reading yesterday!

PEP GUARDIOLA is often criticised for his lack of substitutions, especially in big matches, but the two he made here were spot on. Mateo Kovacic helped bring control and calmness back to City, while Jeremy Doku gave them pace and a threat on the counter-attack.