“I have never seen this team play in the way they did tonight”.
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“The best performance I’ve seen from anyone in the past six or seven years was when Dortmund came here [to the Etihad]”, Neville said. They had every reason to optimistic. Demichelis had not begun a league fixture since September 26, a 4-1 defeat at Tottenham when he was equally as susceptible, and he simply had no answer for the quick, decisive counter-attacking football that Klopp’s team produced in the first half. “They were brilliant goals”, Klopp added, evidently purring at how intricate interplay led to collector’s items from his brilliant Brazilians Coutinho and Firmino. A few of it was recklessly self-inflicted on City’s part, however.
On his return to the Etihad, Milner said it was “strange” coming back in the opposite changing room but was pleased to claim all three points. He initially struggled with the pace of the Premier League after arriving from Hoffenheim but has grown in confidence backed by the faith of Klopp, who has started him in an advanced role in preference to Christian Benteke in the wins at Chelsea and now City.
City slipped to third on 26 points.
Klopp, meanwhile, appeared unimpressed in the technical area, with the German ranting at any red shirt within shouting distance in an effort to maintain concentration levels, but he need not have anxious.
Neville had special praise for Phillipe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, who both played a huge part in the first three Liverpool goals. But when you win 4-1 against Man City it is very good.
The lead became two thanks to pure brilliance from Firmino and a dash of offside – razor-thin – by Coutinho.
City’s backline sourly missed the presence of the injured Vincent Kompany, who watched on stony-faced from the stunned crowd.
In the second half, Pellegrini plugged City’s defensive holes by bringing on Fabian Delph and Fernandinho on for the useless Yaya Toure and Jesus Navas, but the tactical shift also made their attacks narrow and meager.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini blasted his side, saying they “did it all wrong”, but Klopp has credited his own players for refusing to allow the hosts to get into their rhythm, especially early on.
Liverpool have scored as many goals in their last two away Premier League games (7) as they managed in their 11 before that.
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It was 2-0 midway through the first half as City’s defending once again left much to be desired. Instead of shooting, Sterling passed to Aguero, whose shot from the edge of area was saved.
