African Superstars Send Liverpool Nine Points Clear Of Man City
11 November, 2019
African superstars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane were on target as Liverpool thrashed Premier League champions Manchester City 3-1 on Sunday evening.
The Reds brought back their regulars from their UEFA Champions League win over Genk, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah flanking Roberto Firmino in attack. Meanwhile, Man City had a suspect defensive line that included deputy goalkeeper Claudio Bravo Ederson and Fernandinho playing makeshift centre-back alongside John Stones.
The game got off to a flying and controversial start after Fabinho opened the scoring for Liverpool in the sixth minute with a wonder strike from outside the box, just moments after the Citizens players were appealing for a penalty after a ball glanced off Trent Alexander-Arnold's arm inside the box but the Video Assistant Referee was not convinced.
Salah gave Jurgen Klopp's troops a 2-0 lead in the 13th minute after pouncing on a diagonal cross from Andrew Robertson to nod past a helpless Bravo.
The Reds almost made bagged a third goal with eight minutes remaining of the first stanza after Firmino let fly with a threatening strike from outside the box , but Bravo was on hand to deny the Brazilian.
The Reds had a great start in the second stanza after Sadio Mane extended the lead six minutes after the break with a free header at the back post from Jordan Henderson's cross.
Guardiola responded with his first change with 20 minutes remaining, after bringing on Gabriel Jesus in place of Sergio Aguero in the hope of a change of fortunes upfront.
City did manage to pull a goal back with 12 minutes remaining after Bernardo Silva rifled one into the bottom corner after being getting on the end of Angelino's cross.
Guardiola's charges had another penalty appeal in the last eight minutes after Raheem Sterling's shot hit Alexander-Arnold's hand for the second time in the match but the referee again was not persuaded as the encounter finished 3-1 in favour to the hosts.