Liverpool put on a dazzling display to beat Manchester City 4-1 on the weekend.
Jurgen Klopp's Reds produced a brilliant performance to down the pre-round Premier League leaders at the Etihad Stadium, bouncing back from their last-start loss to Crystal Palace.
The opening goal came in just the seventh minute when Eliaquim Mangala deflected Roberto Firmino's cross into the back of his own net before Philippe Coutinho added a second just over 15 minutes later when he neatly finished a lovely ball from fellow Brazilian Firmino.
Liverpool were in dreamland in the 32nd minute when Emre Can played a clever backheel into the path of Coutinho who squared it up for Firmino to finish with ease for his first goal for the Merseyside club.
City responded on the stroke of half-time through Sergio Aguero who came up with a stellar effort from range in his first game back from a hamstring injury but the contest was wrapped up nine minutes from time when Reds defender Martin Skrtel rifled beyond Joe Hart after the ball had dropped to him from a corner.
The win saw Liverpool move into ninth position as Manuel Pellegrini's title favourites City dropped to third with an uncharacteristic defeat.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Manchester City: 1 (Sergio Aguero 44')
Liverpool: 4 (Eliaquim Mangala (OG) 7', Philippe Coutinho 23', Roberto Firmino 32', Martin Skrtel 81')
Etihad Stadium, Manchester - 54,444
TALKING POINTS
- Does a result like this suggest Liverpool have a genuine title chance under Klopp?
- Surely this is just an aberration for City, however, they drew 0-0 with Aston Villa last time out so are teams beginning to work out how to deal with them?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Liverpool will be riding high when they host Bordeaux in the Europa League on Thursday before focusing their attention to Sunday's home league clash with Swansea City.
City tackle Italian giants Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday prior to the weekend's visit of Southampton.
TWITTER INSIGHT
What a performance lads!!! Thanks for the support!! We are Liverpoolpic.twitter.com/1VJ2C8f4Bq
— Alberto Moreno Perez (@lfc18alberto) November 21, 2015Buzzing !!! what a performance #YNWApic.twitter.com/1kKTX0mAgp
— Nathaniel Clyne (@Nathaniel_Clyne) November 21, 2015It wasn't a good performance on our part, but I don't blow wins or losses out of proportion. Now focused on Wednesday's game.
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) November 21, 2015
QUOTES CORNER
Man City's Pellegrini was irate after the defeat:
"I am more than angry, it is unbelievable the performance we had.
"I have never seen this team play in the way they did tonight.
"It was a complete disaster, the whole team."
Liverpool boss Klopp on the fantastic result:
"It was very satisfying. I'm not sure if it was the best (performance) but I rarely compare games.
"It is normal in football if you have quality - and we have quality - you can be in the lead."
STATS SPECIALS
*Thanks to Opta
4 - Philippe Coutinho has now scored four goals in five Premier League appearances against Manchester City. Update.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 21, 201585 - Sergio Aguero is now the top-scoring South American player in Premier League history (85 goals). Gaucho.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 21, 20153 - Man City have conceded three goals in the first half of a competitive game at the Etihad Stadium for only the second time. Stunned.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 21, 20154 - Martin Skrtel has now scored four Premier League goals against Man City; more than he has against any other opponent. Rout.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 21, 2015