Liverpool travel to Manchester City tomorrow (Nov 8) in what could be the game of the season so far.
It could also have massive implications as to where the title ends up come the end of the campaign.
Since City moved to the then City of Manchester stadium in 2003, the Reds have only beaten the Cityzens three times in the league.
They also have wins over City in the Champions League and League Cup.
Ahead of tomorrow’s crunch game, we take a look at Liverpool’s top five performances at the Etihad Stadium.
5. Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool (18/19)
Yes, the Reds lost this game and ultimately lost the title as a result, but the way Liverpool played in this game was something to be proud of.
Jurgen Klopp’s men had more possession than City on the night. Not many teams go to the Etihad and have more of the ball than Pep Guardiola’s side. They were also unfortunate not to go ahead before City opened the scoring.
John Stones hooked the ball off the line some 11mm before it went in which turned the tide of the game, allowing Sergio Aguero to score five minutes before the break.
The goal Firmino scored in this game was up there with the best they scored that season. A move involving every outfield player left Firmino free at the back post to equalise before Leroy Sane won the game for City 18 minutes from time.
A draw would have reflected this game properly and it’s unfortunate the Reds got nothing from a very decent performance away from home.
4. Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool (11/12 League Cup Semi-Final 1st leg)
After getting hammered there 3-0 in the previous week, Kenny Dalglish’s Reds travelled to the Etihad in mid-January. City were without Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure through injury and suspension.
The Reds went to the then league leaders with something to prove after the events of the week prior and they started well and went ahead in the 13th minute through a Steven Gerrard penalty.
Liverpool had peppered Joe Hart’s goal before they went ahead, though, forcing the keeper into a string of world-class saves before Gerrard went ahead.
In truth, Liverpool could well have booked their first Wembley final since 1996 well before the end of this game.
A fantastic late save from Pepe Reina from Micah Richards kept the clean sheet intact, ensuring Dalglish’s side took a goal lead back to Anfield for the second leg two weeks later.
3. Manchester City 2-3 Liverpool (08/09)
A late Dirk Kuyt goal completed a sensational Liverpool comeback in September of 2008. To be fair, this could have been further down the list because the first-half display wasn’t good enough.
It’s just here for the value of the comeback by Rafa Benitez’ side. Stephen Ireland and Javier Garrido scored two early goals for City as they raced into a two-goal lead.
Fernando Torres pulled one back just after the break before Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for a tackle on Xabi Alonso. Robinho missed a glorious chance to restore City’s 2 goal cushion. Torres capitalised on his miss.
Steven Gerrard swung a cross in and the Spaniard beat Joe Hart to it as he flicked Liverpool level.
Torres had a chance to win it but he scuffed his chance. Fortunately, it squirmed its way to Dirk Kuyt who planted it past Hart to win it in injury time. This result put Liverpool level on points with early leaders Chelsea after 7 games.
2. Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool (18/19 Champions League Quarter Final 2nd leg)
The first leg result meant that Liverpool travelled to their domestic title rivals with a massive advantage. Goals from Salah, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mane gave the Reds a three-goal cushion heading into the Etihad cauldron.
City scored early through Gabriel Jesus and had Liverpool under the cosh for, pretty much all of the first half.
The Reds defended well throughout and could have ended the tie through Oxlade-Chamberlain but he couldn’t find the net from a tight angle.
City, rightly, felt hard done by going into half time. A Leroy Sane goal was wrongly chalked off for offside after the ball deflected off James Milner. Liverpool really kicked on in the second half after Guardiola was sent to the stands at half time.
Mo Salah produced a high quality chipped finish to effectively end the tie as a contest and, whilst City were pushing, they still made mistakes at the back.
Nicolas Otamendi played a risky pass which was cut out by Firmino before the Brazilian rolled it past his international counterpart to send the travelling Kop into delirium.
A 2-1 victory meant the Reds won the tie 5-1 on aggregate. This was largely down to the dogged defensive performance during the first half at the Etihad.
1. Manchester City 1-4 Liverpool (15/16)
This was the first real inkling of what Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool could achieve. The Reds had beaten a stuttering Chelsea side the previous month but no one would have predicted how they would dominate at the Etihad in the early days of Klopp’s tenure.
The Reds found themselves three goals to the good as the clock ticked over the half-hour mark. An Eliaquim Mangala own goal, coupled with a strike from Phil Coutinho and Firmino’s first Liverpool goal put Brendan Rodgers’ side in a great position.
Sergio Aguero clawed one back for City just before the break but the Reds were comfortable throughout the second half.
Martin Skrtel lashed home Liverpool’s fourth to seal the deal. The rest of the league may well have had an eye on the Reds going forward as they dispatched one of the League’s best sides.
Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool would welcome a similar result with open arms. It would certainly put their authority on the league going forward.
