Holy hell, what a start to proceedings between Liverpool and Manchester City on Sunday. With Anfield truly rocking, the defending champions and current league leaders entered the pitch to a stirring rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” with the Kop end at full voice.
You'll never walk alone pic.twitter.com/Cc2AXdTdIf
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 10, 2019
That was followed by an impeccably observed minute’s silence for Remembrance Day. However, the whistle that signaled its conclusion transformed the stadium again into a bubbling cauldron of noise and expectation.
The start of the match did not disappoint. At one end, City protested vehemently for a handball in the area but Michael Oliver wasn’t interested. Liverpool broke the other way, and the Reds’ first real attack ended with Fabinho smashing a pile driver from 25 yards out.
WHAT A STRIKE FABINHO pic.twitter.com/y5bQxukx2W
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 10, 2019
Over the next five minutes, City went inches away from equalizing on two occasions — both Raheem Sterling and Sergio Agüero failed to turn home delightful balls from Kevin De Bruyne.
But with Liverpool seemingly under the cosh, a visionary cross-field switch by Trent Alexander-Arnold released Andrew Robertson, and Robertson replied with a searching cross deep in the area that met Mohamed Salah in stride. The Egyptian just had to apply his head to double Liverpool’s advantage.
What a pass from Alexander-Arnold
What a cross from Roberston
What a finish from Salah pic.twitter.com/Eou1JcupV1— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 10, 2019
City certainly have a goal or two in them, but Liverpool probably has four or five.