Reds run riot with brilliant victory

Ahead early on through an Eliaquim Mangala own goal, Jurgen Klopp's side tore this morning's Premier League leaders to shreds thereafter, with goals from Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, his first in England, putting them 3-0 up with little more than half an hour played.

Sergio Aguero reduced the deficit before half-time, but the Reds regained their composure after the break and clinched the win late on through Martin Skrtel 's stunner.

The result lifts Klopp's side to ninth in the Premier League table, and to within six points of City, who had started the day top.

Having opted to start without a specialist striker – with both Christian Benteke and Daniel Sturridge among the substitutes – Klopp was rewarded with a good start from his side, and a goal inside eight minutes.

Coutinho was key to it, robbing Bacary Sagna to drive forward and feed Firmino, whose cut back was diverted into his own net by the retreating Mangala.

Liverpool, playing ostensibly on the counter-attack, were the better side at this point, and doubled their advantage on 23 minutes as Firmino got the better of both Martin Demichelis and Mangala down the right and squared brilliantly for Coutinho to slot through Hart's legs first time.

It was the Brazilian's fourth goal in his last three Premier League games.

That was impressive, but it was to get even better just nine minutes later as Liverpool improbably grabbed a third.
It was a goal of beauty, with Emre Can's wonderful backheel freeing Coutinho into the box, the Brazilian then simply rolling the ball square for Firmino to score his first Reds goal into an empty net.

He could have had another immediately after but shot against Hart when put clear by Coutinho. The former Hoffenheim man then narrowly missed with a left-footed effort as Liverpool cut the hosts open at will.

Raheem Sterling, booed by the travelling Reds fans, was a peripheral figure throughout the opening period as his former club laid waste to his new one in quite scintillating fashion.

Aguero, though, gave Manuel Pellegrini's men a sniff just before half-time, taking advantage of Skrtel's poor clearance to score clinically from 20 yards.

After the break Firmino was again denied by Hart after Adam Lallana had superbly dummied Can's pass. Dejan Lovren then saw a header saved from the resulting corner.

City had chances themselves, with Mignolet denying Aguero and Fernandinho firing over from close range from a Kevin De Bruyne free-kick.

But Liverpool largely dealt with their attacks with comfort, and after substitute Benteke had been denied a fourth, Skrtel grabbed it with a stunning volley after a Milner corner had dropped to him nine minutes from time.

It was a fitting way to crown a wonderful win.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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