The hosts scored a stunning goal in each half and despite Edin Dzeko equalising in-between, the Merseysiders were good value for their 2-1 victory, stretching City’s winless run in this fixture to 13 in all competitions.
With just one shot on target during the whole game, the Blues were far from their best on a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.
City started brightly and had the hosts on the rack for the opening minutes without finding a break-through despite dominating possession in and around the Liverpool box.
Brendan Rodgers’ side reminded the Blues they were up against the Premier League’s form side when Adam Lallana raced through the centre of the City defence after eight minutes before firing a weak shot at Joe Hart from ten yards out.
There were certainly no signs of the oft-mentioned Europa League fatigue from the home team and seconds later the same player had a goal chalked off for offside after a smart finish at the near post from Philippe Coutinho’s cross – but the warning signs weren’t heeded and within two minutes City were behind
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Coutinho smuggled the ball off Vincent Kompany and the ball finally worked its way to Jordan Henderson who cut inside Fernandinho before curling a superb shot past Hart into the top left-hand corner.
City almost hit back immediately as David Silva’s sumptuous lofted pass put Sergio Aguero through on goal but his measured shot as Simon Mignolet advanced off his line struck the inside of the post and the chance was gone.
The Blues could have fallen further behind shortly after as Raheem Sterling wriggled past Eliaquim Mangala only to see his cross roll across the six yard box and beyond the far post.
It was high-energy, breathless stuff and on 25 minutes, the Blues deservedly drew level as Silva fed Aguero deep in the Liverpool half and the Argentine shrugged off a couple of challenges before sliding through an exquisite pass to Dzeko who buried the ball from close range.
It was the Bosnian’s 50th Premier League goal and his timing was perfect – had Liverpool increased their lead in the minutes before, this game may well have got away from Pellegrini’s side.
The Blues almost started the second-half with a goal inside 30 seconds as Pablo Zabaleta’s cross was headed a foot over by Aguero and on 52 minutes Sterling scrambled ball wide under pressure from Zabaleta as the open nature of this entertaining game continued
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Lallana had another goal disallowed on 54 minutes following a set-piece routine – though the infringement was unclear as to whether it was offside or a foul in the build-up – either way it was further evidence that the Blues couldn’t afford to switch off.
As the half wore on, so City sat deeper and deeper, inviting trouble and on 76 minutes, Liverpool re-took the lead with yet another unstoppable shot, this time from Coutinho who curled a fierce shot past Hart from 18 yards out.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it had been coming and it left the Blues with just quarter-of-an-hour or so to at least take something back from Merseyside with
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A superb piece of control and sleight of feet saw Aguero come within inches of equalising on 79 minutes and Daniel Sturridge came close to adding a third for the hosts after Yaya Toure lost possession.
Silva slashed a shot wide two minutes from time after good work from Yaya Toure but ultimately, the Blues had been second-best after the break and could have few complaints at leaving Anfield empty-handed.
