Liverpool celebrate crucial City triumph
The Reds defeat opponents 3-2 in crucial Premier League clash.
A match that marked the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster was undoubtedly the most crucial meeting this season, as Liverpool ousted City 3-2 at Anfield. PHOTO: AFP
LIVERPOOL:
Philippe Coutinho’s 78th-minute winner gave Liverpool a crucial 3-2 victory over Premier League title rivals Manchester City on a day of raw emotion at Anfield on Sunday.
City fought back from 2-0 down to level the scores, but a mistake by captain Vincent Kompany let Coutinho slam home a first-time shot that leaves Liverpool within sight of their first league title since 1990.
An afternoon `that began with tributes to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster ended with Liverpool seven points clear of City at the top of the table, albeit having played two more games.
It was the 10th successive win for Brendan Rodgers’s side, who scored two first-half goals through Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel — the victory means that they will be crowned champions if they win their remaining four games.
City responded impressively in the second half to draw level. David Silva scored and then forced an own goal by Glen Johnson.
Pellegrini sent on the fit-again Sergio Aguero and he almost laid on the winner for Silva with a low cross from the left, but the stretching Spaniard only managed to brush the ball with his studs.
It was to prove a telling moment, as minutes later, Kompany’s sliced clearance fell straight to Coutinho and the Brazilian slammed home a first-time shot to leave Anfield dreaming of glory again.
It was to prove a costly encounter for both teams, however, with City midfielder Yaya Toure and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge limping off, while Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson was shown a straight red card for an injury-time lunge on Samir Nasri.
Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard, who has spent his whole senior club career at his hometown club, was in no doubt of the significance of the result.
“It’s emotional but we need to stay calm as we still have four big games to come — but that meant so much, especially after they came back,” Gerrard told Sky Sports.
“People said that the biggest one was City but I disagree, the big one now is Norwich [Liverpool’s next game]. Nothing is ours yet.”
A tribute to the fallen 96
A solemnly observed minute’s silence in memory of the 96 Liverpool fans who died after a crush at Sheffield’s Hillsborough stadium in an FA Cup semi-final in April 1989 made for a fervent atmosphere at a sun-drenched Anfield, and the home side quickly clicked into gear.
Both teams wore black armbands and, in another tribute to the victims of the tragedy, matches across England were moved back by seven minutes this weekend, reflecting the moment the fateful match at Hillsborough was called off. A memorial service is due to take place at Anfield on Tuesday, which will mark exactly 25 years since the tragedy.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2014.
Philippe Coutinho’s 78th-minute winner gave Liverpool a crucial 3-2 victory over Premier League title rivals Manchester City on a day of raw emotion at Anfield on Sunday.
City fought back from 2-0 down to level the scores, but a mistake by captain Vincent Kompany let Coutinho slam home a first-time shot that leaves Liverpool within sight of their first league title since 1990.
An afternoon `that began with tributes to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster ended with Liverpool seven points clear of City at the top of the table, albeit having played two more games.
It was the 10th successive win for Brendan Rodgers’s side, who scored two first-half goals through Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel — the victory means that they will be crowned champions if they win their remaining four games.
City responded impressively in the second half to draw level. David Silva scored and then forced an own goal by Glen Johnson.
Pellegrini sent on the fit-again Sergio Aguero and he almost laid on the winner for Silva with a low cross from the left, but the stretching Spaniard only managed to brush the ball with his studs.
It was to prove a telling moment, as minutes later, Kompany’s sliced clearance fell straight to Coutinho and the Brazilian slammed home a first-time shot to leave Anfield dreaming of glory again.
It was to prove a costly encounter for both teams, however, with City midfielder Yaya Toure and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge limping off, while Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson was shown a straight red card for an injury-time lunge on Samir Nasri.
Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard, who has spent his whole senior club career at his hometown club, was in no doubt of the significance of the result.
“It’s emotional but we need to stay calm as we still have four big games to come — but that meant so much, especially after they came back,” Gerrard told Sky Sports.
“People said that the biggest one was City but I disagree, the big one now is Norwich [Liverpool’s next game]. Nothing is ours yet.”
A tribute to the fallen 96
A solemnly observed minute’s silence in memory of the 96 Liverpool fans who died after a crush at Sheffield’s Hillsborough stadium in an FA Cup semi-final in April 1989 made for a fervent atmosphere at a sun-drenched Anfield, and the home side quickly clicked into gear.
Both teams wore black armbands and, in another tribute to the victims of the tragedy, matches across England were moved back by seven minutes this weekend, reflecting the moment the fateful match at Hillsborough was called off. A memorial service is due to take place at Anfield on Tuesday, which will mark exactly 25 years since the tragedy.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2014.