An absolute thriller of a game witnessed Liverpool end Manchester City’s unbeaten Premier League run in a fixture which saw a total of seven goals scored.
There was pressure on Liverpool as they were playing their first game after the £142m departure of Philippe Coutinho but that didn’t seem to be the case soon after the first whistle. It only took Liverpool nine minutes to take the lead and it was summer acquisition Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who slotted home Liverpool’s first from just outside City’s penalty area.
As the game headed into the final five minutes of the first half, Manchester City winger Leroy Sane brought his side on level terms with a brilliant left-footed effort. Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Larius, on his part, could have done better though as he was beaten at his near post. Just 12 minutes after the restart, Liverpool retained their lead and it was that man again, Roberto Firmino, who did the magic.
A perfectly weighted through ball set Firmino through but he had to outpower John Stones in the process. What followed next was an absolute beauty. Seeing Ederson off his line, Firmino attempted an exquisite chip over his compatriot and bang, Liverpool had restored their lead. Minutes after the second, Sadio Mane came close to adding another but his venom, unfortunately, struck the frame of the post.
The Senegalese, just two minutes after the second, added Liverpool’s third with what can be described as an absolute rocket. All this was followed by Mohamed Salah scoring a peach of a goal from after a rare clearance from Ederson was caught by the Egyptian. With twenty minutes to play, Liverpool found themselves leading the Premier League leaders by three goals and this is where they stumbled.
Liverpool have time and again been criticised for bumpy defending and it was a similar story this time around. Despite sitting firm, the Liverpool defence went on to concede two goals in the final six minutes and almost conceded an equaliser, only to be given an upper hand by Sergio Aguero’s miss. All goals aside, it was again the defence which led Liverpool down and this is how the fans reacted to it:
We just beat City who ain’t lost a league game all season & our fans talking about Gomes error prone & Karius is shit, Fuck sake cheer the Fuck up & enjoy the win
— ✨Mo Sohail YNWA✨ (@1980Sohail) January 14, 2018
#LFC has a ghost for a goalie . anything can pass through him. #karius. great win guys..THIS IS ANFIELD!
— elvis oparaji (@ElvisOparaji) January 14, 2018
Karius spoilt the fun not moving for the ball. Really nice result 🙂 #plfanzone
— Jahangir Khatri (@iamJahangirK) January 14, 2018
Only @LFC can beat city with karius and lovren
— Haider (@KopKhanLFC) January 14, 2018
Add #lovren to the transfer list and #karius to the garbage truck
— Zack Hurricane (@zack_hurricane) January 14, 2018
When you have two bad goalkeepers like Karius & Mignolet… You’re always stuck with the permutation of who’s a lesser culprit.
— Tɧa Hҽɾɖىmaŋ™ ︻╦╤─ (@nazariine) January 14, 2018
Not a single bad performance except for Karius. He should have saved Sané’s goal. We need a new goalie, until then give Ward the chance!! Gini and Ox were outstanding bossing the midfield. Give Can whatever the fuck he wants, he was god today!! #YNWA
— Mezz’aLallana (@baddachampen) January 14, 2018
Lor karius, liverpool pic.twitter.com/UdIo4HJEJ4
— apiepkddr (@apiepkddr213) January 14, 2018
Loris Karius has got to be thinking about switching up careers now. You should be a shampoo model ye anti-dandruff pantene pro plus c##t!
— RedMist88 (@RedMist808) January 14, 2018
I think this Karius is more useless than Migs tho
— Aridunnu (@Maester_Tobi) January 14, 2018
Liverpool almost bottled a 3 goal league. Hence they don’t have Ibrahimovic(the lion) in their squad, it’s safe to call their defence, BOTTLED Leopards
— #LetTheSwayBeWithYou (@Kris_Sway) January 14, 2018
Liverpool’s attack can win you the league.
Liverpool’s defence can make you relegate.
— N’golo Eden FC (@Ackergbogzie) January 14, 2018