Liverpool 2 - Manchester City 1: Rodgers' 'relentless' Reds make move on the top four
NOT for the first time the sight of Philippe Coutinho smashing a shot beyond the despairing dive of Joe Hart succeeded in leaving Liverpool reinvigorated and Manchester City utterly numbed.
Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on his 'relentless' Liverpool side
Where the emotions of last April were ultimately reversed, the visitors eclipsing their rivals to reclaim their title, this time the paths do indeed seem set.
The importance of victory for Liverpool was super-ceded only by the damage it inflicted upon City's title hopes.
Once more Manuel Pellegrini left Anfield craving a rival slips up.
It will not happen, just as it is increasingly feels the momentum lies with Brendan Rodgers' side in their breathless chase for a top four place that gathers ominous clout with every headlining triumph.
Almost as impressive as the ferocity of the finishes from, firstly, Jordan Henderson, and then the sublime Coutinho with 15 minutes remaining, was seeing Emre Can chasing down Alexander Kolarov, pinning him in at the corner flag, with just seconds of normal time left.
About the same time that Pellegrini was clambering out of bed on Friday morning to continue work on his blueprint for this throbbing contest, Rodgers was putting a key in his front door after an exhaustive trip to Istanbul which pummelled the senses even without the penalty defeat which ensued in the Ataturk.
Yet, it was City who looked as if they had only been back in the country for 54 hours.
Liverpool were energised where the champions were sloppy and the balance tipped towards those who worked hardest.
Rodgers used the word "relentless" to sum up his side and it was as well-chosen as his team selection.
Manchester City title bid still on - Manuel Pellegrini
This was not simply measured by running to a standstill but, in the case of Coutinho, the Brazilian's insistence on cleverly finding space even when Pellegrini tried to crowd him out by bringing on James Milner for Edin Dzeko after less than an hour.
The tactic did not work and when Raheem Sterling found Coutinho lurking with intent on the left hand side of City's area, the threat was immediate. Coutinho cut inside both Pablo Zabaleta and Samir Nasri and unleashed a drive that speared into the net with Hart left to watch it arrow past his out-stretched fingertips.
Following on from last week's thunderbolt against Southampton, here was further confirmation of his ability to sprinkle stardust and his mesmeric recent performances, brimming with swaggering intent, now set the standard he must adhere to.
In some respects, Pellegrini will accept that moment as unpalatable as it proved.
What will be more difficult for the manager to fathom is the sight of Coutinho winning a duel with Vincent Kompany in the 11th minute which led to Liverpool's opening goal.
For the time being, Kompany looks like the panicky novice, rather than grizzled veteran, and his swipe at thin air when put under pressure from Fernandinho was worse than his aberration his last season. Coutinho once again made him pay.
He gave a move impetus and when Sterling fed Henderson, the vice-captain checked back onto his right foot and curled a majestic effort into the top corner.
The episode was indicative of the narrative which followed and, while the inadequacies of City's defence have been mentioned before, this was an afternoon in which their midfield and front line performed on scrambled wavelengths.
Newspaper Review – Sunday 01 March
While Sergio Aguero hit the post immediately after City had slipped behind for the first time, and headed over when well placed just 21 seconds after the interval, overall they struggled to muster a meaningful threat.
The outstanding pass Aguero, who had drawn a posse of red shirts to him, conjured for Dzeko to bury right-footed after 25 minutes did not only register the equaliser, but City's only attempt on target. They also failed to force a single corner.
Instead, it was the hosts who chased and harried and looked more in control in what they were trying to achieve and how they were trying to play. After Tottenham and Southampton, now City can attest to that and with back-to-back games against Manchester United and Arsenal to follow in the weeks ahead, Liverpool's destiny is in their own hands.
And City? Unless they somehow overcome Barcelona on March 18, their season will be over just when it is supposed to be beginning in earnest.
Liverpool (3-4-3):Mignolet 7, Can 7, Skrtel 7, Lovren 6; Markovic 7 (Sturridge 76 6), Henderson 8, Allen 7, Moreno 7 (Toure 82); Lallana 7, Sterling 7, Coutinho 9. Goals: Henderson (11), Coutinho (75) Next Up: Burnley (h) PL Wed.
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