The stage is set for the all-English quarter-final battle in the Champions League with Liverpool hosting their Premier League rivals at Anfield tonight in the first leg tie.
As attack-minded coaches, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola will be looking to outsmart themselves as they seek to progress in Europe’s biggest club competition.
While the game could swing anyway, there is a consensus that goals should follow tonight at Merseyside.
This two teams have netted a combined 163 goals this season and much more is expected tonight!
Stay with PREMIUM TIMES for live updates… Kickoff 7.45p.m.
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mane, Firmino, Salah
SUBS: Mignolet, Clyne, Wijnaldum, Moreno, Ings, Solanke, Masterson
MANCHESTER CITY TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Laporte; Fernandinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Sane; Jesus
SUBS: Bravo, Danilo, Stones, Sterling, Delph, Bernardo, Zinchenko
Kick off at Anfield
Safe hands from Loris Karius as he comes out and claims the ball
Manchester City’s Leroy Sane is ruled offside
Goal!!! Mohamed Salah with the goal
Goal number 38 of the season for Mohamed Salah, whose incredible 2017-18 goes on. This breakthrough goal came via a counter-attack
The home team have had 36% of possession compared to the away team’s 64%
GOAL!! Nobody saw that coming Chamberlain makes it 2
Manchester City with a mountain to climb now
Pace of Chamberlain really troubling the city defence
GOAL… Sadio Mane makes it 3-0
Many predicted goals tonight but not many saw a one-way traffic as we presently have it
Liverpool had a three-goal advantage against City in that January fixture here only to concede twice to leave them holding on. Will City do that again
In the other game tonight… Barcelona are 1-0 up against Roma
SHOT! Firmino gets away from Kompany and Gundogan and takes the shot on. The ball flew marginally over the crossbar
Liverpool are the only team to score 3+ goals against Man City this season – this is the 2nd time they have done so
Half Time Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City
Second half already underway
Liverpool and Manchester City have met 178 times with the Reds recording 87 wins and City taking 45 wins… 46 ended in draws
They say it is only a madman that continues to do the same thing and expects a different result but will Pep change City’s approach in the 2nd half? #UCL #lLIVMCI
Pep said in his pre-match press conference, “The way they [Liverpool] attack the space, they are so good. Of course, we will try to do something, but I feel the best way to win is to play how we’ve been doing as a group all season.”
Barcelona take two-goal lead from two own goals from Roma
Barcelona cruising as they score the third through Pique
Guendogan is leaving the field to be replaced by Raheem Sterling in a tactical substitution
The referee signals a free kick as Fernandinho trips Sadio Mane
Chance for Nicolas Otamendi but his header goes off target
Roberto Firmino leaves the field to be replaced by Dominic Solanke
GOAL Alert.. Dzeko with a left foot finish makes it Barcelona 3-1 Roma
He has been quiet all night but Jesus tries an audacious bicycle-kick wide off goal
The referee shows Gabriel Jesus the yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Yellow card for Kevin De Bruyne also.. City players losing the game and losing their heads
GOAL Alert… Luis Suarez makes it 4-1 for Barcelona
City are left livid after they had a goal chalked off as offside
Yellow card for Jordan Henderson
Full Time in Spain Barcelona 4-1 Roma
Three minutes added on..
Full time Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City
