Premier League Notes - Week 37

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 37

The 37th week of the Premier League football action saw:

25 goals - most by Liverpool = 5

227 shots - most by Man City = 26

76 on target - most by Man City = 10

116 corners - most by Leicester = 13

249 fouls - most by Everton and Arsenal = 19 each

33 bookings - most by Brighton and Arsenal = 4 each

2 red cards - Buendía and Drmić for Norwich

3 penalties - 1 scored (Antonio for West Ham)

#NORBUR

Chris Wood acrobatically connected to Jóhann Guðmundsson’s cross into the box to put it past Tim Krul from close range and open the scoring for Burnley (45+5’). Wood is the first player to score 13 goals in a top division season for the club since Peter Noble and Ray Hankin in 1975-76. Norwich had made a strong start pulling a couple of saves out of Nick Pope. But like so many times this season, the Canaries then pressed the self-destruct button. First Emi Buendía was sent off for an elbow into the back of Ashley Westwood's head, ref Kevin Friend checked the VAR screen himself to confirm the red (36’). And the bottom club went down to nine men after Josip Drmić’s dangerous lunge in with studs up on Erik Pieters, no replay or VAR needed for that one (45+3’). There was a lot of discussions about the harshness of both decisions, but I think both calls were clear and obvious. The goal then just added salt onto Daniel Farke and co’s wounds, confirming the obvious, just not controlled nor good enough. Norwich are the first team to have multiple players sent off in the first half of a Premier League game since August 2015 (two Stoke red cards v West Brom). Capitulation. And to add to their misery, Ben Godfrey added an own goal into the bottom right to make it 0-2 (81’). No team have scored more own goals in the Premier League this season than Norwich (three). And the Canaries have conceded 37 home goals in the Premier League this season - in their league history they have only shipped more at Carrow Road once (48 in 1946-47). It’s the ninth consecutive defeat for the relegated side. Sean Dyche’s men meanwhile, climbed up to ninth after their club record 15th league win of the season, their most in a top-flight campaign since 1974-75. Records.

#BOUSOU

Who else but Danny Ings broke the deadlock in the South-coast derby, off Nathan Redmond, cutting onto his right foot, taking the ball past two players and squeezing it around Jack Stacey and into the bottom right corner (41’). It’s his 12th goal on the road for the Saints, matching Matt Le Tissier’s club record for the most away goals in a season. The Cherries must have been gutted at the break after playing well for most of the half, but recording no shot on target. Important HT team talk for Eddie Howe. The VAR awarded a penalty deeming the ball came off Harry Wilson’s arm, harsh one. Aaron Ramsdale dived the right way, his left, and saved the spot kick to deny Ings the club record (59’). Bournemouth thought they had found a dramatic late leveller when after a scramble Sam Surridge squeezed the ball inside the post - for the beloved VAR to disallow it offside (90+4’). Howe closed his eyes, Ramsdale’s celebrating run across the pitch was spoilt, but it summarised their season: all fight, no result, no points. And to add salt onto the wounds, Michael Obafemi slipped it through to Ché Adams in the box, who took one touch to beat the defender and smash it beyond Ramsdale to make it 0-2 (90+8’). The result sees the Cherries drop to 19th, three points from safety with one game to go at Everton.

#TOTLEI

Son Heung-min broke the deadlock after just seven minutes, running and dancing through the Foxes' back line, his shot coming off James Justin into the bottom left. The VAR checked offside against Harry Kane when the shot was taken, but the goal stood, the striker not involved at all. And it was given as an own goal anyways in the end. The Foxes kept pushing, Jamie Vardy kept missing, Kane ended up scoring, doubling the Londoners’ lead with his left foot across into the bottom right corner (38’). And seconds later, the top scorer added to his and his side’s account, again across and into the bottom right, lovely take (40’). Three counter goals, lacking any marking or defending. Since January Leicester have amassed 17 out of 48 points. Thrown it away completely. Hugo Lloris did his job in the second half, Brendan Rodgers' side with double the attempts and shots on target, but nothing on the scoreboard. It was the lowest possession for Spurs at home in eight years with only 30%, but I don’t think José Mourinho and co will care about any of that after banking three comfy points taking them up to sixth (before Wolves played, see below). 

#BHANEW

Half an hour gone, Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard linked-up well, the latter seeing his right footed shot from the centre of the box saved by Martin Dúbravka. Dwight Gayle came close, putting his chance just over for the visitors at the end of the first half. The Magpies went close again shortly after the break, Miguel Almirón squeezing a shot away under pressure from Tariq Lamptey for Mat Ryan to save. Frustrating game to watch. Bookings left, right and centre. But nothing from it. It ended goalless, no surprises at the Amex Stadium.

#SHUEVE

Not much happened at Bramall Lane, the home side giving the Toffees no break. A couple of minutes before the half-time break, Theo Walcott in a world of space on the right, found Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the box, whose header from close range came crashing off the post. The visitors should’ve been ahead. Seconds after the restart, Richarlison banged in a header into the bottom left to give Everton the lead (46’). Carlo Ancelotti said something right during the interval. Both sides had chances to add to the scoreboard, most wasted, the home side producing more but nothing on target. Frustrating result for them, blowing their European hopes, dropping to eighth, five points ahead of Everton.

#WOLCRY

The only thing worth reporting in the first quarter was Mamadou Sakho having to be replaced having obviously pulled something. A couple of shots, but nothing of note. End of the first half, Daniel Podence headed the Wanderers ahead off a nice run and cross by Matt Doherty, after Jeffrey Schlupp gave the ball away to João Moutinho (41’). His first goal for the club. Lovely buildup. All Wolves in the second half. What a beauty by Jonny, turn and hit from the centre of the box, doubled the visitors’ lead, Adama Traoré an absolute monster in the buildup once again (68’). Palace had some chances after that, nothing to worry Rui Patrício much. It ended 2-0, Roy Hodgson’s seventh consecutive league defeat for the first time in his long managerial career sees his side remain 14th, whilst Nuno Espírito Santo’s side stay 6th and in the tight race for Europe. 

#WATMCI

Sunday the news broke: Watford sacked Nigel Pearson with only two games left to play?! The third manager of the season to be given the chop by the owners, that makes it an average of 11ish points per sacking this season. Rumours were growing of bust-ups between players and the manager. No surprise on Tuesday then: Raheem Sterling's first half double (31’, 40’), then in the second half Phil Foden (63’) and Aymeric Laporte (66’) got in on the fun. The Hornets are in big trouble, handing Villa a lifeline, see below for more.

#AVLARS

Aston Villa were fighting, Arsenal just awful. From a corner, whipped in by Conor Hourihane, Tyrone Mings got a touch and the ball found Trézéguet in space in the box, who connected with it beautifully WHACK to give the Villans the lead (27’). It was enough to bag the three crucial points. After seeing his side losing in miserable fashion against the relegation battlers, not producing a single shot on target and heading to their worst finish in 25 years, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said that winning the FA Cup final on 1 August is even more important for the club now as it's the only way they can qualify for Europe next season. Duh! Massive performance and win for Dean Smith and his men, dropping Watford into the relegation zone on goal difference, three points ahead of Bournemouth in 19th, taking the fight against the drop into the last week. 

#MUNWHU

Dull match until a controversial penalty call: It took the VAR a while and a few replays to decide Paul Pogba handled the ball. Some (the French commentators) argued the Frenchman protected himself, but especially the angle from behind showed it looked more like a volleyball move with both arms up. A rare call going against United, and Michail Antonio made no mistake, banging the spot kick in sending David de Gea the wrong way just before the HT break (45’). Mason Greenwood smashed in the equaliser from the centre of the box, the Hammers defence giving him too much time and space (51’). Big point for David Moyes and co to make 100% sure they stay up, whilst OGS and his men will need a point against Leicester in the final matchweek to qualify for Europe next season. 

#LIVCHE

Naby Keïta opened the scoring from the edge of the semi-circle into the top right, lovely first shot on target after a quiet opening with each side feeling each other out (23’). Another lovely lovely goal, TAA curled a free kick from right outside the semi-circle up and over everyone into the right corner of the net (37’). And Georginio Wijnaldum made it three, whacking the ball in after a corner bounced off Mo Salah and a couple of defenders, a bit of ping pong, but super finish (43’). Chelsea pulled one back in the final seconds of the first half, Willian's shot was saved by Alisson, but Olivier Giroud slid in to net the rebound to make it 3-1 (45+3’). Perfect cross by Trent from the right and Bobby Firmino entering the box bang middle made no mistake of heading it in to make it four for the Reds (55’). The Blues doubled their score, sub Tammy Abraham unmarked from close range, after a lovely run and cross from the left by the other sub Christian Pulisic (61’). What a turn and take by Pulisic unmarked in the box to make it 4-3 and game on (73’). The Ox made it five, after a super quick counter, Andy Robertson from the left, long cross, BANG, the sub made no mistake from close range (84’). BOOM. Unbeaten at Anfield for three seasons. CHAMP19NS. Fireworks and party started. Click here for full ByTheMinLFC coverage. 

My Predictions - Actual Results 

Norwich 0:1 Burnley - 0:2

Bournemouth 2:1 Southampton - 0:2

Tottenham 1:1 Leicester - 3:0

Brighton 1:1 Newcastle - 0:0

Sheffield United 2:1 Everton - 0:1

Wolves 2:0 Crystal Palace - 2:0

Watford 1:1 Man City - 0:4

Aston Villa 0:2 Arsenal - 1:0

Man United 2:1 West Ham - 1:1

Liverpool 3:2 Chelsea - 5:3

Click here for my previous Premier League Notes.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match reports, ByTheMin, RMC and Sky Sports coverage. 

Deadlocked & Unbeaten Reds & Citizens

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 0:0 MCFC

Liverpool and Manchester City remain unbeaten and tied with Chelsea on 20 points at the top of the Premier League after their goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday.

It was definitely not the Super Sunday clash as it was built up and expected to be between the two sides that shared 12 goals in their two league meetings last season and six goals in their Champions League matches.

MCFC 5-0 LFC (09/09/2017), LFC 4-3 MCFC (14/01/2018)
LFC 3-0 MCFC (04/04/2018), MCFC 1-2 LFC (10/04/2018)

It took 62 minutes to get the first shot on target, Riyad Mahrez testing Alisson from inside the box shortly before Mohamed Salah's curler from 20 yards was easily caught by Ederson.

Both keepers had nothing to do until then, after a frantic opening 15-20 minutes, the Sky Blues kept the Reds under control and vice versa.

The visitors had 51% possession, their lowest in a Premier League games under their Spanish boss, the home side weren't helped though by injury to their vice-skipper James Milner with under half an hour gone.

It was the first time City failed to have a single shot in the first half since April 2010 against Arsenal and a shot on target in the first half of a Premier League game since the final game of last season against Southampton.

And November 2017 against Chelsea was the last time for Jürgen Klopp's side not to register an attempt on target in the first half of a Premier League game.

But it was not like they were not trying, Sadio Mané and Salah worked hard throughout, Roberto Firmino still seemed isolated and hardly got a touch or look into the game.

Man of the match Bernardo Silva was the key to that, keeping the Citizens locked, recording and completing more tackles than anyone else on the pitch.

Former Red Raheem Sterling and Argentinian fireman Sergio Agüero were both kept quiet, the latter was taken off after 66 minutes, his record against LFC looking dire with no goals in his ten appearances (700 minutes played, 0 wins, 11 shots, 3 on target).

The first genuine save came in the 74th minute, the home side's Brazilian stopper tipping away Mahrez's low shot.

Pep Guardiola's men were given a lifeline after Virgil van Dijk slid into Leroy Sané, getting more of the man than the ball, seconds after it looked like the latter had fouled Salah in the buildup.

Penalty to City it was, five minutes of normal time to go, all hard work looked to be undone for the Reds, until Mahrez took the kick off Gabriel Jesus and put it sky-high to the left and out, relief all round at Anfield.

The Algerian winger has missed five of his last eight spot kicks (four for Leicester, one for City), among players to have taken at least 10 penalties in the Premier League, only former Aston Villa man Juan Pablo Ángel (50%, 5/10) has a lower rate than Mahrez (58%, 7/12).

The champions have not won a league game at Anfield in 15 years, but as frustrating as that miss was, both bosses left happy with their sides' unbeaten records and clean sheets in tact.

Pep has won just one of his past eight managerial meetings with Klopp in all competitions (D3, L4), and is winless in the most recent four (D1, L3, see links above).

Liverpool's total of 20 points is their joint-most after eight games of a Premier League campaign, having also done so in 1996-97 and 2008-09.

As mentioned above, both the Reds and Sky Blues with Chelsea remain unbeaten in the league this campaign, which is just the second time in the Premier League era that as many as three teams have gone unbeaten in their opening eight games of a single season (also 2011-12 with Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle).

The international break is coming at a perfect time for all three sides, to recharge, recap and restart their winning mentality and firing boots.

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 6 Lovren, 12 Gomez; 7 Milner (8 Keita 29'), 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum (booked 90'); 10 Mané, 9 Firmino (15 Sturridge 72'), 11 Salah. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 3 Fabinho, 22 Mignolet, 23 Shaqiri, 32 Matip, 66 Alexander-Arnold.

Man City Team: 31 Ederson; 22 Mendy (booked 64'), 14 Laporte, 5 Stones, 2 Walker; 25 Fernandinho, B Silva (booked 21'); 7 Sterling (19 Sané 76'), 21 D Silva (c), 26 Mahrez; 10 Agüero (booked 56') (33 de Jesus 66'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 3 Danilo, 4 Kompany, 30 Otamendi, 47 Foden, 49 Muric.

HT Stats: LFC 0-0 MCFC
Possession: 43%-57%
Shots: 2-1
On target: 0-0
Corners: 2-4
Fouls: 5-3
Bookings: 0-1

FT Stats: LFC 0-0 MCFC
Possession: 49%-51%
Shots: 7-6
On target: 2-2
Corners: 2-6
Fouls: 10-10
Bookings: 1-3

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Man of the match: Bernardo Silva
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 52,117

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter, Sky Sports and RMC app and match coverage.

Reds Outplay PSG In 5-Goal Thriller

Sports - Football - CL - LFC 3:2 PSG

Liverpool started their 2018-19 Champions League campaign with a five-goal thriller at Anfield, ending up impressive 3-2 winners against French champions PSG on Tuesday night.

The Reds dominated throughout, pushing and detaining any kind of threat from the Parisians, who looked very subdued at times.

Corner for corner, chance after chance went to the home side in the early stages and after just over half an hour, all the dominance finally paid off.

In a rare start Daniel Sturridge headed in Andrew Robertson’s cross six minutes before James Milner doubled the lead from the spot after Georginio Wijnaldum was fouled.

Belgian right back Thomas Meunier pulled one back for the visitors before the break, but it still looked all too comfortable for Jürgen Klopp’s men.

There was not much to see from the £400million frontline of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Edinson Cavani, Liverpool were in control.

Mohamed Salah was not at his best either though, losing the ball too many times and when the great Egyptian scored, it was harshly ruled out for a foul.

The Reds were stunned by Mbappé’s equaliser with only seven minutes left on the clock, pouncing and netting past Alisson in the box to make it 2-2.

But then came the super-sub, Roberto Firmino! Put on the bench because of an eye injury he sustained in his side’s win at Tottenham on Saturday, the great Brazilian came on to find the winner deep into stoppage time, beating Alphonse Areola with a low drive from a tight angle.

It was well deserved, with late drama or without, the Reds had outplayed the Red and Blues.

Thomas Tuchel was left wondering what the hell happened again as the last time the German met his compatriot Klopp at Anfield in 2016 with Dortmund, there was late drama and defeat as well. Deja vue!

This result makes it six out of six wins for the Reds, their best start to a season since 1961/62, and they have never been beaten in a European game at Anfield under their great German boss!

Hell yeah! #YNWA (nor get bored!)

Liverpool Goals: Sturridge 30’, Milner pen 36’ and Firmino 91’.

PSG Goals: Meunier 40’ and Mbappé 83’.

HT Stats: LFC 2-1 PSG 

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 8-7

On target: 5-4

Corners: 8-1

Fouls: 7-4

Bookings: 1-1

FT Stats: LFC 3-2 PSG

Possession: 52%-48%

Shots: 17-9

On target: 7-5

Corners: 13-1

Fouls: 14-10

Bookings: 1-1

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk (booked 27’), 12 Gomez, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c), 5 Wijnaldum; 10 Mané (3 Fabinho 93’), 15 Sturridge (9 Firmino 72’), 11 Salah (23 Shaqiri 85’). 4-3-3

Subs not used: 8 Keita, 18 Moreno, 22 Mignolet, 32 Matip.

PSG Team: 16 Areola; 14 Bernat, 3 Kimpembe, 2 Thiago Silva (c), 12 Meunier (booked 45’+1’); 11 di María (17 Choupo-Moting 80’), 5 Marquinhos, 25 Rabiot; 10 Neymar, 9 Cavani (23 Draxler 80’), 7 Mbappé. 4-3-3

Subs not used: 4 Kehrer, 19 Diarra, 24 Nkunku, 34 N’Soki, 50 Cibois.

Referee: Cüneyt Çakir

Man of the match: Georginio Wijnaldum

Ground: Anfield

Attendance: 52,478

Click here for my last LFC match.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Twitter, Sky Sports app and RMC Sport match coverage.

Reds Bash Hammers 4-0

Sports - Football - Premier League - LFC 4:0 WHU

Liverpool recorded their 500th Premier League win in convincing fashion, beating West Ham comfortably 4-0 in their season opener at Anfield on Sunday early afternoon.

The home side impressed and dominated possession and play from kick-off with their front trio constantly threatening, Egyptian king Mohamed Salah taking only 19 minutes to tap in the opener from Andy Robertson’s precise cross.

An unmarked Sadio Mané doubled the lead from close range just before the break, becoming the first LFC player to score in three consecutive opening top-flight fixtures since John Barnes between 1989-92.

The Senegalese forward looked offside when he drilled in his second off Roberto Firmino’s pass to make it 3-0 to the Reds after the interval, but the flag stayed down, replays showing some oh-so-slight deflection off a Hammer.

New signing Naby Keita impressed with a driving performance as well, with some slick moves and plenty of tempo, also contributing to the first goal.

Meanwhile skipper James Milner bossed the pitch from start to finish (rugby-style with a headband wrapped around the stitches on his forehead), and Virgil van Dijk’s presence was heard, felt and seen at the back for the Reds.

Substitute Daniel Sturridge added to the party scoring with his first touch, 24 seconds after coming on in the 87th minute, making it 4-0 and sealing Liverpool’s biggest opening home league win since 1932. 

New Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini watched his side being well beaten and not giving the new Red record-signing keeper Alisson Becker much to do, easily catching Fabián Balbuena's header, one of just the two attempts on target for the visitors.

And the defeat could have been heavier with chance after chance for the home side, leaving Jürgen Klopp all smiles and full of praise, the German could not have asked for a better start to the new season, but also warning of the bigger and harder challenges ahead.

Liverpool Goals: Salah 19’, Mané 47’ & 53’ & Sturridge 88’.

Match Stats: LFC 4-0 WHU

Possession: 64.8%-35.2%

Shots: 18-5

On target: 8-2

Corners: 5-4

Offsides: 5-3

Fouls: 14-9

Bookings: 1-2

Liverpool Team: 13 Alisson; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 12 Gomez, 66 Alexander-Arnold (booked 21’); 9 Keita, 5 Wijnaldum, 7 Milner (c); 10 Mané (23 Shaqiri 82’), 9 Firmino (14 Henderson 69’), 11 Salah (15 Sturridge 87’). 4-3-3

Subs not used: 1 Karius, 2 Clyne, 3 Fabinho, 20 Lallana.

West Ham Team: 1 Fabianski; 26 Masuaku, 21 Ogbonna, 4 Balbuena (booked 55’), 24 Fredericks; 41 Rice (11 Snodgrass 45’), 16 Noble (c); 8 Anderson (17 Hernández 62’), 19 Wilshere, 30 Antonio (booked 52’); 7 Arnautovic.

Subs not used: 5 Zabaleta, 13 Adrián, 14 Obiang, 20 Yarmolenko, 23 Diop.

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Ground: Anfield

Attendance: 53,235

Man of the match: Sadio Mané

Click here for my last LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports coverage and app and Twitter.

Dire Goalless Draw Not Helped By Ref

Sports - Football - Premier League- LIV 0:0 STK

It ended goalless between Liverpool and Stoke City in the lunchtime kickoff on Saturday, the Potters squeezing out a point and keeping their manager Paul Lambert’s unbeaten record at Anfield intact, a Premier League record of five games without defeat (5 = 2W 3D).

The home side did dominate as expected, star man Mohamed Salah missed a sitter early on and put a free kick wide.

With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out injured for the rest of the season, young defender Trent Alexander-Arnold played in a more attacking position, stumbling and wasting a great chance in the box.

Danny Ings, in place of a not-yet-fit Sadio Mané up front, saw his goal disallowed, flagged offside, so close.

Stubborn and very physical, the visitors had a couple of chances as well, nothing to worry Loris Karius too much though.

The second half continued dragging and frustrating for Jürgen Klopp and his men.

There was a handball appeal against man of the match defender Erik Pieters late on, who certainly gave his all, Georginio Wijnaldum was furious with the officials.

Virgil van Dijk was booked seconds later, Ryan Shawcross threatened with a chance but missed, it was end to end stuff in the final minutes.

James Milner was not happy with the referee either, nothing given after he was felled down, unlike when he had challenged to win the ball earlier on.

Six minutes were added on for all the injuries, Wijnaldum headed high, everyone in white surrounding Salah.

The great Egyptian looked tired, producing seven shots, none on target, the most he has had without scoring in a single game for Liverpool in all competitions. 

Roberto Firmino saw his penalty appeal in the final seconds ignored, Pieters getting away with it again, hugs all round as replays showed.

The Reds will be rightly disappointed to not have gotten more out of the match they bossed throughout, but the final edge was missing.

It was the first time in nine games the Reds failed to score at home in the league, since drawing 0-0 against West Brom in December, netting 27 in the eight games between the two goalless draws.

Klopp and co will be glad not to have more names added to the injury list after a very physical game with a lot of clashes and ouches, Jordan Henderson going down at the end of the first half but continued after treatment.

Next is the second and decisive leg of the Champions League semi-final in Rome on Wednesday before a trip to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League at the weekend with Chelsea looking to break into the top four.

Stoke meanwhile are three points from safety with two games left to play in the league (against Crystal Palace next weekend and at Swansea on the final day).

HT Stats: LIV 0-0 STK

Possession: 66%-34%

Shots: 7-1

On target: 1-0

Corners: 0-2

Fouls: 2-10

Yellow cards: 0-2

FT Stats: LIV 0-0 STK

Possession: 72%-28%

Shots: 19-5

On target: 2-1

Corners: 9-2

Fouls: 7-14

Yellow cards: 1-2

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 17 Klavan, 4 van Dijk (booked 88’), 12 Gomez; 18 Moreno, 5 Wijnaldum, 14 Henderson (c), 66 Alexander-Arnold (2 Clyne 65’); 28 Ings (7 Milner 65’), 9 Firmino, 11 Salah. 3-4-3 on Sky & PL apps, good old 4-3-3 on BBC & SFR with 18 & 66 completing the back line whilst 12 is in the middle... Bit of both in the end, sometimes back 5!!!

Subs not used: 6 Lovren, 22 Mignolet, 26 Robertson, 29 Solanke, 58 Woodburn.

Stoke City Team: 1 Butland; 3 Pieters, 15 Martins Indi (32 Sobhi Ahmed 52’), 17 Shawcross (c), 6 Zouma; 2 Bauer, 27 Ndiaye, 4 Allen, 22 Shaqiri; 25 Crouch (booked 36’) (24 Fletcher 65’), 18 Diouf (booked 42’). 4-4-2

Subs not used: 7 Ireland, 16 Adam, 20 Cameron, 29 Haugaard, 40 Campbell.

Referee: Andre Marriner

Man of the match: Erik Pieters

Ground: Anfield

Attendance: 53,255

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the Sky Sports and BBC match reports, Twitter, Sky Sports and Premier League apps and SFR coverage.

Reds Shock Citizens 3-0 In Europe

Sports - Football - Champions League - LFC 3:0 MCFC

Liverpool swept Premier League leaders Manchester City aside 3-0 at Anfield, all goals scored in a breathtaking opening 31 minutes, stunning Pep Guardiola's men in their first leg Champions League quarter-final clash on Wednesday night.

Top scorer Mohamed Salah opened the scoring after 12 minutes, pouncing on the rebound from close range after City keeper Ederson denied man of the match Roberto Firmino, netting his 38th goal of the season, ninth in Europe.

Eight minutes later, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled the Reds' lead with a smacker of a strike past Ederson from 20 yards out, James Milner the provider for a record seventh assist in the competition, three more than any other player.

And Sadio Mané completed the dream-start and made it three heading in Salah's cross with just over half an hour gone, making it seven goals in the last eight games for the Senegalese. Pep's face said it all, the Citizens just did not have a clue what hit them.

These three goals brought Liverpool's total in the Champions League to 31, making them the top scoring side this season and recording their biggest tally ever in a single season in the European Cup.

The buildup was massive, the atmosphere was breathtaking, the visitors were not allowed to get a touch on the ball without Jürgen Klopp's men swarming them and the Kop booing them, City sub and former Red Raheem Sterling especially getting it after coming on later on in the game.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson did a brilliant job blocking and denying any chances for the opposition on the wings, frustrating the hell out of Gabriel Jesus, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sané and leaving Loris Karius with not much to do.

That was the main difference to their last clash in the league, a seven-goal thriller where the Reds ended up on top as well, the clarity and control of the win = clean sheet for the Reds. This time the Citizens did not get anything back, not even a glance back into goal nor the match.

The Sky Blues failed to record a single shot on target for the entire game for the first time since 26th October 2016 (against Manchester United in the League Cup) despite enjoying much more possession after the break.

Their Catalan boss has only enjoyed one win in his last six meetings with Klopp in all competitions (D2 L3), the 5-0 thrash at the Etihad last September, with the German registering more wins against Pep than any other manager (= six).

The Merseysiders meanwhile remain unbeaten at home in Europe since October 2014 (0-3 against Real Madrid), extending their run without defeat to 15 matches at Anfield (W10 D5).

The only bad news for Liverpool were Salah's injury, which saw him being replaced by Georginio Wijnaldum just eight minutes after the interval, and Jordan Henderson's suspension, the captain's late booking seeing him suspended for the second leg at the Etihad next week.

It was an unforgettable night at Anfield, but like Klopp said, it is only half-time. Nothing is decided yet. We will see next Tuesday who will make it into the Champions League semi-final.

But the Reds will first have to travel to Goodison Park on Saturday, where they will meet Everton in the Premier League Merseyside derby lunch-time kick-off. The Toffees will be hoping and praying a certain Egyptian will stay out.

Liverpool Goals: Salah 12', Oxlade-Chamberlain 20' & Mané 31'.

Match Stats: LFC 3-0 MCFC
Possession: 34%-66%
Shots: 9-11
On target: 5-0
Corners: 0-8
Fouls: 6-10
Yellow cards: 1-4

Liverpool Team: 1 Karius; 26 Robertson, 4 van Dijk, 6 Lovren, 66 Alexander-Arnold; 7 Milner, 14 Henderson (c) (booked 86'), 21 Oxlade-Chamberlain (18 Moreno 85'); 19 Mané, 9 Firmino (29 Solanke 71'), 11 Salah (5 Wijnaldum 53'). 4-3-3
Subs not used: 2 Clyne, 22 Mignolet, 28 Ings, 63 Masterson.

Man City Team: 31 Ederson; 14 Laporte, 4 Kompany (c), 30 Otamendi (booked 45'+3'), 2 Walker; 25 Fernandino, 17 De Bruyne (booked 80'); 19 Sané, 21 Silva, 8 Gündogan (7 Sterling 57' (booked 90'+2')); 33 de Jesus (booked 76'). 4-2-3-1
Subs not used: 1 Bravo, 3 Danilo, 5 Stones, 18 Delph, 20 Silva, 35 Zinchenko.

Referee: Dr Felix Brych (GER)
Man of the match: Roberto Firmino
Ground: Anfield
Attendance: 50,685

Click here for my previous LFC match report.

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC match report, Sky Sports app, Twitter and beIN sports coverage.