Liverpool stunned Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this evening, scoring three goals in the opening 32 minutes to help them on their way to a 4-1 victory.
Brazilian duo Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino added to an early own goal from Eliaquim Mangala to hand Liverpool a commanding lead in double-quick time, although Sergio Aguero did pull one back for the hosts before the break.
City's comeback never materialised, however, and Martin Skrtel thumped home a fourth late on to cap an extraordinary win for the visitors.
Here, Sports Mole sorts the heroes from the villains on what was a remarkable evening in Manchester.
© Getty Images
MAN CITY
Goal
Joe Hart: May have conceded four goals, but it could have been double that had he not made a string of one-on-one saves. Denied Firmino on numerous occasions and also kept out Benteke in the second half too. (6/10)
Defence
Bacary Sagna: Utterly outclassed by a rampant Coutinho and had no way of stopping the Brazilian. Caught in possession in the build-up to the opening goal and that set the tone for a torrid display. (3/10)
Martin Demichelis: Not quite as bad as the man alongside him in the middle, but not far off. Looked all at sea throughout as Liverpool cut through the City defence time after time. (2/10)
Eliaquim Mangala: It's hard to imagine what else could have gone wrong for him. His own goal was calamitous, and came about due to his poor decision to step up on Firmino, while he was nowhere to be seen when Liverpool were attacking at will. A terrible, terrible performance. (1/10)
Aleksandar Kolarov: Probably the best of the City defenders, but that isn't saying much. He was decent going forward, but didn't exactly bring calm to the back four when those around him were losing their heads. (4/10)
Midfield
Yaya Toure: Can look like a world-beater some days, but this was not one of those days. Off the pace throughout the first half and was one of those hauled off by Pellegrini at the interval. (3/10)
Fernando: Also unable to get close to Coutinho and co in the first half in a dreadful opening 45 minutes. Was given the chance to turn things around after the break, though, and went on to redeem himself a little. (5/10)
Jesus Navas: Anonymous in the first half as Liverpool did most of the attacking. Got no joy up against Moreno and was also taken off at half time. (4/10)
Kevin De Bruyne: One of few players to come out with any credit for City. Always looked dangerous when he had the ball and created a few good chances with testing deliveries into the middle. (6/10)
Raheem Sterling: The open nature of the match might have suited him, but he was largely left to watch on as Liverpool played the type of football that they had when he was there with Suarez and Sturridge. (5/10)
Attack
Sergio Aguero: Looked dangerous when he got the ball and marked his return from injury with a deadly strike. Had he been able to play the full 90 minutes, City's chances of recovering would have been substantially bigger. (6/10)
Substitutes
Fabian Delph: Came on at half time and certainly made a difference with his extra energy in the middle of the park. (6/10)
Fernandinho: Evened up the midfield battle with his dynamism and at least limited the influence of Coutinho a little bit. One of City's best players, despite only playing 45 minutes. (6/10)
Kelechi Iheanacho: Replaced Aguero but, as much potential as he may have, he isn't in the Argentine's league and Liverpool would have been happy to see that switch being made. (6/10)
© Getty Images
LIVERPOOL
Goal
Simon Mignolet: Nothing he could have done about Aguero's inch-perfect goal, but did deny the striker in the second half with a good stop. (7/10)
Defence
Nathaniel Clyne: Dealt with Sterling comfortably when he came up against the youngster, but struggled a little more when it was his turn to mark De Bruyne. (7/10)
Martin Skrtel: Was at fault for the City goal as his poor clearance gifted the ball straight back to City, but more than made up for that with a stunning half-volley to cap off the scoring. (7/10)
Dejan Lovren: In for the injured Sakho and put in a solid performance on the whole. Had one or two shaky moments, but probably would have been expecting a more stringent examination than the one he received. (6/10)
Alberto Moreno: Gave Navas nothing in the first half and was similarly solid after the break too. Got forward when possible, with Liverpool's best work coming down the left side of the field. (7/10)
Midfield
James Milner: Almost gifted his former side a way back into the match when his weak back-pass was pounced upon by Sterling. Mignolet came to his rescue, though, and aside from that it was a very good performance from the skipper. (7/10)
Lucas Leiva: Provided the base from which those in front of him flourished. Perhaps could have done a bit better for the goal, but on the whole put in a solid performance. (6/10)
Emre Can: Played his part in some of the party football that Liverpool were providing in the first half, including a fine back-heel in the build-up to the third goal. A force at both ends of the field. (8/10)
Attack
Adam Lallana: Not quite as impressive as the other two players to come, but still a fine performance from the midfielder, who played his part in some slick counter-attacking football. (7/10)
Roberto Firmino: Quite comfortably his best performance in a Liverpool shirt to date. Linked up with Coutinho to great effect, forcing the first two goals and scoring the third himself. His assist for the second was particularly special. He could well have been a perfect 10 had he finished a couple of the other great chances created for him. (9/10)
Philippe Coutinho: This may have also been his best performance in the red of Liverpool - a rather bigger compliment than that of Firmino's. He was almost toying with City at times, creating chance after chance for Firmino and linking up with his compatriot incredibly well. Was also heavily involved in the first three goals, but worryingly went off clutching his hamstring. (9/10)
Substitutes
Jordon Ibe: Replaced Coutinho as the man of the match limped off and made some good breaks of his own, including one to set Benteke clean through on goal. (7/10)
Christian Benteke: Really should have scored the above mentioned chance when he had virtually the entire City half to himself and only Hart to beat. Went some way to atoning for the miss by knocking the ball down for Skrtel to lash home the fourth, though. (6/10)
Kolo Toure: Introduced in the dying stages of the match to help Liverpool see out a win that was already safe. (6/10)
Barney Corkhill
