Liverpool kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield.
Needing a win to reduce the huge nine-point gap that Chelsea had opened up after their win earlier, the Reds began in an emphatic manner as Georginio Wijnaldum fired them to lead after only eight minutes. The Netherlands international headed home a brilliant cross from Adam Lallana from the left wing and the goal proved enough for them to walk away with all the three points. However, the win was not easy as City relentlessly tried to find an equaliser in the second half. Pep Guardiola’s side was a much better side after the break but Jurgen Klopp’s side regained their composure as the half wore on and held on to the slender one-goal lead.
This was Liverpool’s fourth win in a row and now they are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League games at home (W11 D6). On the other hand, the loss has left City 10 points behind Chelsea in the title race and they can drop to fourth place if Arsenal win against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Let us see how the Twitterati reacted to the high voltage clash:
Liverpool have beaten Man City for the fourth consecutive time in the league, the first time since 1981!
— Football Factly (@FootballFactly) December 31, 2016
Fantastic win. Winners grind out games. Special mention to Wijnaldum, Klavan and Lallana. Another clean sheet for Simon Mignolet too. Magic
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) December 31, 2016
https://twitter.com/GiniThePooh/status/815342846739939328
https://twitter.com/ThePLZone/status/815329979588288512
https://twitter.com/CIassyCouts/status/815290747247271936
After today, Liverpool have to be seen as serious title contenders imo, young squad with a great mentality, especially in the big games
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) December 31, 2016
0 – Sergio Aguero didn't have a single touch of the ball in the Liverpool box in his 90 minute appearance today. Stifled.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 31, 2016
Successful first-half take-ons:
Silva: 0
Toure: 0
Mane: 0
Lallana: 0
Wijnaldum: 0
Mignolet: 1— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) December 31, 2016
No midfielder in Europe's top 5 leagues has been involved in more goals this season than Adam Lallana (14).
7 assists
7 goals pic.twitter.com/SXoSd7vdhf— Squawka (@Squawka) December 31, 2016
Adam Lallana created more chances in the first half than every other player on the field combined. (Squawka)
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) December 31, 2016
Lallana has been very good recently. If he keeps this up he could make it as England's designated scapegoat in Russia 2018.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) December 31, 2016
Raheem Sterling dreams about being as good as Adam Lallana.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) December 31, 2016