Getty Images - Premier League, Anfield - Liverpool 3 (Sterling 6, Skrtel 26, Coutinho 78) Manchester City 2 (Silva 57, Johnson og 62)
Liverpool profited from three errors from Vincent Kompany as they extended their lead at the top to five points, prior to Chelsea's game with Swansea, thanks to a stunning 3-2 home win over Manchester City.
Philippe Coutinho scored the winner in the 78th minute after a howler from Kompany. Manchester City had spent the preceding days fretting over their captain's fitness, and were relieved when he was available for selection.
Yet it was his wild swing at the ball which presented Coutinho with his chance from the edge of the box. The Liverpool player made no similar mistake, rifling home with power and accuracy past Joe Hart.
Raheem Sterling opened the scoring after only six minutes, picking up on Luis Suarez’s pass and deceiving Kompany before slotting Joe Hart. The lead was doubled by Martin Skrtel with a great glancing header from a Steven Gerrard corner after 26 minutes.
Manchester City were dealt an additional blow early on as Yaya Toure limped off, having incurred an injury to his left knee with an optimistic strike from range. But they came out roaring in the second half, with James Milner, a 50th-minute substitute replacing Jesus Navas, setting up David Silva’s lofted shot into the net over the onrushing Liverpool defence.
Five minutes later, Silva tried to take credit for the equaliser, an acute attempt from the left, but it was Glen Johnson’s deflection that really tricked Simon Mignolet at the near post.
The game ended on a negative note for Liverpool, with Jordan Henderson sent off in additional time for a very nasty challenge on Samir Nasri. The fans would not let it put a dampener on their celebrations, though, applauding him off, and then giving the whole team a similar ovation just a few seconds afterwards.
Source: Eurosport
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