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Liverpool snatched an early lead over title rivals Manchester City in a thrilling start at Anfield.
The top-of-the-table clash offers the Reds a chance to move 11 points clear of the champions in the Premier League.
Arne Slot’s side made the perfect start to build on their superb win over European champions Real Madrid in the Champions League midweek, as Mohamed Salah put speculation surrounding his future to one side with a sensational run and cross to set up Cody Gakpo for the opener.
City, who are without a win in their last six games, with five straight losses followed by a 3-3 draw with Feyenoord in which they relinquished a three-goal lead, subsequently held on with a nervy first-half performance to remain just one behind at the break.
Follow all of the latest from Anfield in our live blog below:
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
Haaland is almost in after a long ball over the top from Akanji, but once again van Dijk is there to clear. He’s dominating that battle so far.
Chris Wilson1 December 2024 17:22
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
City have improved over the last few minutes, and more so since the subs have come on – they have a little more pace and energy in attack now. Nevertheless, they still aren’t managing to create meaningful chances.
A lovely dummy from Mac Allister starts a Liverpool attack, but Szoboszlai can’t provide the cross.
Chris Wilson1 December 2024 17:21
ANALYSIS: Manchester City sticking in the battle but running out of options
Reasons to be optimistic for Manchester City? It is only 1-0, despite Liverpool’s early dominance. And Pep Guardiola has unleashed a couple of potential game-changers on the bench, in the shape of Jeremy Doku and Savinho, while he still has one more card to play, in Kevin de Bruyne.
But there aren’t too many others. Virgil van Dijk still has a huge threat at every corner. Mohamed Salah has just missed a sitter. Liverpool look the faster side. And so far under Arne Slot, as their record of 17 wins out of 19 shows, they tend to be good at holding on to leads.
Richard Jolly at Anfield1 December 2024 17:19
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
CLOSE! Liverpool win possession after Salah chases down Silva’s loose pass to Akanji. He gets there before the Swiss defender and he’s now one-on-one with the ‘keeper, with Gakpo supporting him. He drives towards goal and opens his body up to put it into the far corner, but he hooks his effort over the bar!
Chris Wilson1 December 2024 17:17
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
Much better from City as Silva drives forward with plenty of space opening up in front of him. It’s worked to Walker on the overlap, and his clipped cross ends up going out for a goal kick.
Chris Wilson1 December 2024 17:15
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
Slightly more promising from City as they work it forward and win another corner. Gundogan delivers it, but once again van Dijk is there to head clear.
The visitors recycle possession, but Foden can’t reach the pass forward.
Chris Wilson1 December 2024 17:13
The corner is headed on by Akanji but it’s a looping effort and Kelleher collects. Liverpool break and Robertson plays a lovely diagonal pass into the path of Gakpo, who controls it and forces Ortega and Nunes into some last-ditch defending.
From the corner, van Dijk heads narrowly over at the front post.
Chris Wilson1 December 2024 17:11
Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City
City have had plenty of the ball since the restart, and they win their first corner of the match as Foden’s cutback is blocked.
Chris Wilson1 December 2024 17:09
