Manchester City’s unbeaten run came to a thrilling end after a 4-3 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. Three goals in the space of eight brilliant second half minutes saw the Reds comfortably cruising 4-1, but were made to defend with their lives after City scored two late goals to ensure an intense final minutes.
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With the away side having won the reverse fixture 5-0 at the Etihad, the league leaders were looking to do a double over their hosts for the first time since the 1936-37 season.
They got off to the worst possible start, however, as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s low drive put Liverpool 1-0 up in the ninth minute. But City were back level before the break via Leroy Sane, who capitalised on a poor defending from Joe Gomez to let fly a stunning effort beyond Loris Karius.
City were the dominant side, and nearly went ahead after the break through Nicolas Otamendi, who got between Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino following a lovely City counter attack, but saw his shot come off the bar.
Seven minutes later, the game turned on its head as the Reds ran Pep Guardiola’s side ragged.
First, poor defending from John Stones gifted Firmino an opportunity to restore Liverpool’s lead, before Sadio Mane doubled their advantage minutes later.
It was 4-1 soon after when Mohamed Salah punished another City error, this time a horrible clearance from City’s goalkeeper, Ederson, with a sensational goal from 35yards.
But there was time for more drama as City wouldn’t give up so easily without a fight, pulling one back through Bernando Silva with six minutes left, before the Reds were made to sweat even more as Ilkay Gundogan scored on the stroke of the 90 to make it 4-3.
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Despite City’s late fightback, it was the home side who held on for a classic win, putting an end to City’s dreams of going the entire season unbeaten.
A truly deserved victory for Klopp and his side, who were without record signing, Virgil van Dijk, who missed the game due to an injury.
“It was not too bad,” Klopp said of his side’s performance after the game. “I am really, really, really happy about it; I’ve had absolutely worse days in my life, not a lot of bad ones but to be honest, [I’ve had] a few worse than that.”
The win sees Liverpool move up to third on the log, level on points with Chelsea, who drop to fourth due to their inferior goal difference.
Klopp’s opposite number, Guardiola, is already looking forward to the next game, but says his side gave a good performance and that the league is far from over.
Up next for these two, Liverpool take a trip to Swansea while City host Newcastle United.
Elsewhere, it was another tale of woes Arsenal and their fans at the Vitality stadium, where they lost 2-1 to Bournemouth for the first time.
After a goalless first half, Hector Bellerin put the Gunners ahead in the second half, but two goals in two minutes, first from Callum Wilson and then, Jordon Ibe saw the Cherries come from behind to record a memorable win over Arsene Wenger’s side.
The Gunners have now won just three of their last 11 games in all competitions, and the pressure continues to mount on Wenger.
Arsenal, however stay sixth, while Eddie Howe and his team have moved up to 13th.
