![Philippe Coutinho: Celebrates scoring Liverpool's winner]()
Philippe Coutinho: Celebrates scoring Liverpool's winner
Liverpool's resurgence and a repeated mistake made by Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini were among the Anfield talking points, writes Peter Smith
Pivotal result?
Ahead of kick-off, Jamie Carragher described this as a "pivotal" match for both teams. After Liverpool's victory moved them up to fifth - their highest position in the Premier League since October - and left Manchester City five points behind Chelsea having played a game more, the impact of the result certainly looks significant.
Jordan Henderson told Sky Sports after the match that Liverpool's focus was to build more momentum and finish strongly. They are already the form team of 2015, having taken 20 points from a possible 24 since the turn of the year and, after their remarkable nine-game winning streak in the final stages of last season, top-four rivals Arsenal and Manchester United will be casting nervous glances over their shoulders following this statement of intent.
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As for City, who have failed to win any of their last 12 Premier League matches at Anfield, they are now reliant on several slip-ups from Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. They came from behind in the title race to capitalise on Liverpool's errors last season, but can they do it again?
City making same mistakes
Prior to this match, Manchester City were the only Premier League team not to have conceded a goal from outside of the box this season. However, despite long-range stunners from Henderson and Philippe Coutinho sealing victory for Liverpool, the visitors' defeat had a familiar feel to it.
Just as against Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek, City were outnumbered in midfield, due to Manuel Pellegrini's insistence on playing both Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero up front. The tactic came in for stern criticism from Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness after the game.
"They came into this game having been outnumbered in midfield by Barcelona and they were outnumbered again," said Souness.
"Last week against Newcastle, they had a great result but against the bigger teams, Pellegrini persists with two strikers. It's OK saying 'we'll be a threat going forward' but if you haven't got the ball, you're not. Sort it out stage-by-stage. Get the ball and then be threatening. If you can't get the ball first, your strikers are going to be idle."
Pellegrini insisted his tactics were not the problem but Man City managed just one shot on target (Dzeko's equaliser), the fewest they have recorded in a Premier League game since April 2012 at Arsenal.
Liverpool front three shine
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"Those three have been outstanding," beamed Brendan Rodgers, when asked to speak about the performances of forwards Raheem Sterling, Coutinho and Adam Lallana against Manchester City.
However, for the Reds trio, who have starred in the absence of Daniel Sturridge, the stats speak for themselves.
Sterling provided assists for both goals on Sunday and has now set up more goals in the Premier League this season (seven) than he has in the previous three seasons combined.
Coutinho - described as Liverpool's "little magician" by Lallana - has now scored impressive strikes from outside the box in back-to-back games and made more accurate passes (35) than any attacker in a Red shirt.
Lallana, who had two goals ruled out, had the best pass completion rate of any forward on the field (84.4 per cent).
"They really are good technical players but you see today how they press the ball, they're very clever in how they press, get up to people and that was key for us," added Rodgers.
Henderson adding end product
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"He needed to add goals and assists to his game and that's what he's done this season," said Carragher when asked about Henderson, a player he knows better than most, having been a former team-mate of the Liverpool midfielder.
"He's renowned for energy, his athleticism and being a great pro but now, with 10 assists and four goals this season, he's bringing more quality to his game."
Henderson's goal against City was a powerful bending strike from outside the box and came against the same opposition he opened his Premier League account against for Sunderland in 2009.
However, the physical qualities associated with him remain, as well. Only Dejan Lovren (five) made more tackles than Henderson (four) in the clash at Anfield, while the England man ranked in the top three in terms of distance covered with 11.1km.
Toure brothers play against each other for first time
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While Yaya Toure's second-half display and struggles to dominate the midfield for Manchester City came in for criticism from Gary Neville, the Ivorian will at least take one fond memory from Sunday's trip to Liverpool: it was the first time he had gone head-to-head with brother Kolo as a professional.
The two Ivory Coast stars helped their country to the Africa Cup of Nations title last month and were team-mates at Manchester City after Yaya linked up with Kolo from Barcelona in 2010.
However, when Kolo made a substitute appearance for Liverpool with seven minutes to play, the siblings were pitted against each other for the first time.
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