Liverpool took a huge step towards their Barclays Premier League title dream with a 3-2 victory over Manchester City on an emotional day at Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho’s late strike took Brendan Rodgers’ side seven points clear of the visitors, who had hit back to level things up at 2-2 after falling two goals behind in the first half.
The hosts looked to be easing to a 10th consecutive Barclays Premier League triumph on Sunday after goals from Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel capped a dominant first-half showing.
With City having been robbed of Yaya Toure’s services in between those two strikes due to injury, Manuel Pellegrini’s woes were mounting. But David Silva turned the game on its head with a goal early in the second half before the Spaniard’s effort was deflected in by a combination of Glen Johnson and Simon Mignolet to equalise.
However, there was time for one last twist in the tale – and one that could ultimately end Liverpool’s 24-year wait to be crowned champions of England – as Coutinho pounced on Vincent Kompany’s clearance to fire in a dramatic 78th-minute winner.
Jordan Henderson’s late dismissal mattered little in the context of the game as the result ensured that the destination of the top-flight crown now rests exclusively in Liverpool’s hands.
(Credit: premierleague.com)
