Liverpool demolished Manchester City with a three-goal bombardment in 19 first-half minutes to take an imposing 3-0 first leg lead in their Champions League quarter-final last night.
Manchester City lead Liverpool by 18 points in the Premier League, but their only league defeat this season came in a 4-3 thriller at Anfield in January 2018, and they endure an even worse fate on Wednesday to dashed their anticipation of winning the European Cup for a first time hanging by a thread.
The three prolific Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane were on target for their host club. However, the home team was stained when Salah walk lamely off with an injury early in the second half.
Manchester City could be crowned English champions by the time the sides meet again for the champions League second leg tie in six days’ time, should they beat local rivals Manchester United on Saturday.
However, it will take an extraordinary turnaround for the Citizens, if they are to make just their second ever Champions League semi-final.
City were well conscious of the facts they were facing from the off as their team bus was battered by bottles and cans on their arrival at Anfield. The home team were quick to apologise as were the club in a strongly-worded declaration condemning the actions of their club fans.
The visitors remained disposed to the speed of Liverpool’s forwards and City were caught out on the counter-attack on 12 minutes when Salah sprang behind the City defence and, after his initial effort was parried by Ederson, Firmino teed up Salah to score home his 38th goal of the season.
City were soon swept away in the euphoria engulfing Anfield as Oxlade-Chamberlain pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area and rendered Ederson helpless with a stunning strike from 20 yards.
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