Liverpool 3-0 Man City: Reds stun Premier League leaders

Liverpool produced the performance of the season as they thrashed soon-to-be Premier League champions Manchester City 3-0 at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night.

Despite Pep Guardiola’s side dominating the opening 10 minutes of the game, it was the home side who produced the first shot on target in the match and took the lead with Mohamed Salah’s close range effort on 11 minutes following a shocking touch from Kyle Walker in front of his own goal.

The steam appeared to be knocked out of Manchester City on 20 minutes when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picked up possession 30 yards from Ederson’s goal and smashed in a powerful, unchallenged effort past the Brazilian to double Liverpool’s lead.

Whilst many still considered the runaway Premier League leaders the favourites to progress at this stage, even the most optimistic Manchester City fan must have been downbeat on 31 minutes when Sadio Mane headed home Liverpool’s third with their third shot on target to that point.

After 90 minutes Manchester City had failed to produce a single shot on target all game, against a defence that included youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dejan Lovren.

Leroy Sane saw lots of the ball down the left wing but a combination of poor first touches, poor crosses and poor decision-making saw the German one of the worst performers of the night.  Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva both had quiet games, whilst second half substitute, Raheem Sterling, made no impact.

Liverpool are at Everton on Saturday lunchtime and can afford to rest players ahead of the second leg as there are 10 points between them and Chelsea between Champions League qualification and not, even if it’s the Merseyside derby.

Manchester City can win the Premier League title on Saturday evening by beating rivals Manchester United at the Etihad.  However, Guardiola may want to write this match off and rest his first team for the second leg at home to Liverpool next Tuesday.