Liverpool reaches pole position; gets closer to first Premier League title

Liverpool came through 15 minutes of acute tension last night to register a season-defining win over Manchester City. The Reds won the crucial match against their biggest rival in the title race by 3-2, with the last fifteen minutes becoming extremely exciting due to some intense display of football by the players from both teams.

Liverpool made their intentions clear right from the kick-off that they would not sit back and let City come at them. With an explosive attacking line-up comprising Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and hugely experienced Steven Gerrard in the midfield Liverpool was looking dangerous in their attacks, like the way they have been throughout the season. Coutinho’s inclusion in the playing eleven made it look even sharper. Liverpool didn’t have to wait long for their first as Sterling gave them the lead in the 4^th minute of the match. Martin Skrtel made it 2-0 for the home side in the 26^th minute of the match by heading from a flag-kick. The first half ended with the Merseysiders leading 2-0.

The second half saw the 2012 champions improving their game considerably after Sergio Aguero and James Milner had come on. It was Milner who set Up David Silva to score their opening goal in the 56^th minute and lead Man City to the path of a revival. 5 minutes later City got the equalizer as Glen Johnson deflected the ball past the keeper into his own net. Just when it looked like that City was taking it away from the Reds, a defensive error from Vincent Kompany led the Merseysiders take a crucial lead in the 76^th minute of the match. Phillipe Coutinho lashed on to a miss-kick from the City captain to send the loose ball with a low 15m-drive past a diving Joe Hart into the back of the net. Liverpool managed to hold on to the lead with some stout defending that saw them climb on to the top of the league table for the first time in 24 years.

But Liverpool still has a long way to go. They still have to face Chelsea away from home within 2-weeks time and Jordan Henderson will not be available for that tie for an unnecessary lunging tackle on Samir Nasri that earned him a direct red card. In spite of that Liverpool is looking the most likely team to finish on top with less than 5 games to go in the season.

• About the Author

About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.