Man City 1-4 Liverpool: Coutinho and Firmino run riot for dominant Reds

Liverpool produced another masterclass in a big away game, destroying Manchester City 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City 1–4 Liverpool
Premier League – Etihad Stadium – Saturday 21st November 2015

Goals: Aguero 44; Mangala (o.g, 7), Coutinho 23, Firmino 32, Skrtel 81.

Jurgen Klopp opted for the same side that won at Chelsea expect for Dejan Lovren replacing the injured Mamadou Sakho in defence. That meant Roberto Firmino started up front, with Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke on the bench.

The first half saw Liverpool playing some breathtaking football. An Eliaquim Mangala own goal from Firmino’s cross after seven minutes gave the Reds the lead, before a superb Firmino ball set up Philippe Coutinho to make it 2-0.

Soon after it was 3-0, Firmino this time the scorer – his first for the club. A beautiful backheel from Emre Can played in Coutinho, who squared for Firmino to tap in.

Liverpool’s pressing was sensational and it was almost 4-0 on two more occasions, within a minute of each other. Firmino with both chances.

Liverpool were absolutely cruising, but a superb goal from outside the box by Sergio Aguero just before half time gave the hosts hope before half-time.

The second half saw more chances for Firmino, and a disallowed goal when Coutinho finished but was offside.

Coutinho limped out after 70 minutes, potentially with a hamstring injury. Jordon Ibe replaced the Reds’ no.10.

Another chance came and went when Benteke, who replaced Firmino with 15 to go, failed to finish when put through one-vs-one by Ibe.

The fourth goal did finally arrive, but not from where you’d have expected it! Martin Skrtel absolutely thundering home a volley from the edge of the box off a corner.

The Reds recorded their first win at the Etihad in the league since 2008. It’s good to be back to competing in big games.

Man of the Match: Roberto Firmino

Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Milner, Lucas, Can; Lallana (Toure, 89), Coutinho (Ibe, 68); Firmino (Benteke, 76).

Subs not used: Bogdan, Randall Allen, Sturridge.

Man City: Hart, Sagna, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov, Toure (Delph, 45), Fernando, Navas (Fernandino, 45), Sterling, De Bruyne, Aguero (Iheanacho, 66).

Subs not used: Caballero, Clichy, Otamendi, Zabaleta.

Referee: Jonathan Ross