SPORTMATTERS • RACING • SOCCER • GOLF • RUGBY 28, 29, 31 • CRICKET Reds hit top form
Manchester City were torn apart by Liverpool’s pace last night. Reuters reports
THE Juergen Klopp factor began to take effect last night as Liverpool hammered mercurial Manchester City 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium to provide the Merseysiders’ new coach with his most striking Premier League win yet.
Klopp’s men defeated struggling champions Chelsea 3-1 last month, but an own goal from Eliaquim Mangala and two beautifully worked goals from Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, all in the first 32 minutes, put them on their way to an even more impressive triumph on the road.
Sergio Aguero, a minute before half-time, produced a brilliant, curling effort to threaten the possibility of a comeback win that could have put erratic City back on top of the table.
Yet Liverpool, whose impressive Brazilian Firmino squandered a couple of other opportunities to seal the emphatic triumph, completed the rout with a thunderous, if unlikely, 81stminute strike from Martin Skrtel.
Having lost just once in eight matches since Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool now lie ninth in the table on 20 points, with City in third on 26, behind Manchester United on 27 and surprise leaders Leicester City on 28.
“City are a top team, they have shown it year on year. We were top class in the first half, it was a brilliant result,” said Liverpool captain James Milner.
“We had chances to get more, but Joe Hart made some top saves. It was a really good performance. It’s always strange coming back to a club. I was here for five years and have lots of friends here.
“The way we played in the first half was brilliant,” said Reds defender Martin Skrtel.
“It is the fourth goal I have scored against City – I wouldn’t mind playing them every week.”
While there was joy for Liverpool, the atmosphere in the home dressingroom was vastly different.
“It was a fake game,” said Manuel Pellegrini, clearly unhappy and agitated. He confirms that if he did it again, he would pick the same team.
“We need to put this behind us. Fair play to Liverpool, they came out fast. We never seemed to get going. I wouldn’t say we are in a state of shock, because we knew Liverpool would come out fast. We have dropped three points, which is a massive disappointment,” said midfielder Fabian Delph.
The big problem City had was outlined by their former defender, Paul Lake.
“Set pieces have always been an issue for Manchester City. Look at where the (fourth) goal has come from, it was sloppy play. Joe Hart made a wonder save beforehand, and the corner fell nicely for Martin Skrtel; the Liverpool man made the goal for himself.
“A terrible day at the office for City and one they, hopefully, learn from and learn from quickly.
“Liverpool have deserved this, Philippe Coutinho played a huge part in that. At this level, when you give away two goals against a top side, it was uncomfortable from the outset. Since then City have been chasing the game,” he added.