5 Key Stats from Liverpool's 2-1 win against Manchester City in the Champions League

Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg
Klopp scored another win over Guardiola

Liverpool beat Manchester City 2-1 in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium and qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League.

However, City couldn't have asked for a better start as they took the lead in under two minutes to restore hopes of launching a comeback.

It was a total turnaround of the first leg as City were the dominant team on this occasion as Liverpool were forced to sit back fending off all the attacking threat.

It was a very nervy and shaky Reds squad as they were on the receiving end in the first 45 minutes.

A goal just 10 minutes into the second half from talisman Mohamed Salah eased things in the Liverpool camp as they once again made it a three-goal margin and the home team were forced to rethink their options.

But, a Roberto Firmino goal in the 77th minute wrapped up the quarter-final with Jurgen Klopp's men went through 5-1 on aggregate.

Here are some of the important facts from the game:


#5 Alexander-Arnold proves doubters wrong

Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg
Alexander Arnold was up for the challenge against Sane

Trent Alexander-Arnold has proven to be one of Liverpool's best defenders against Manchester City in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

He once again did an excellent job in keeping Leroy Sane shut in the second leg.

Even though Sane may have completed five dribbles, he was able to put in only two successful crosses.

Alexander-Arnold did an excellent job of closing down the German on the left wing.He completed six interceptions, three tackles as well as making two significant clearances.

Defensively, the Englishman has come off age over the last week, proving to be a pivotal asset of the Liverpool back four which has ensured Liverpool conceding only one goal throughout both the legs and eliminating the threat of Sane.

#4 Sterling's drought continues

Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg
Sterling had a rough night against his former team

Raheem Sterling has been on a patchy run of form since his return from injury last month. The story was similar against his former club, Liverpool on Wednesday night as Manchester City were knocked out in the quarterfinals.

Since leaving Liverpool in 2015 for the blue half of Manchester, Sterling has squared off eight teams against the Reds in all competitions and his team have never been able to beat the Merseysiders in normal time till date.

It was a struggle in front of goal for Sterling as he failed to have a single shot in the entire game.

On the other hand, he did not contribute much in the build-up play too as he put in just one key pass, zero crosses and had a pass completion rate of only 63%.

Maybe Pep Guardiola will have to leave the Englishman out of his lineup next time they face Liverpool, as Sterling is proving to be a curse for his team.

Who knows, probably City will end up triumphant in his absence, just like they smashed them 5-0 in their first meeting earlier in the season.

#3 Liverpool set a new record

Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg
Firmino clinched the win for Liverpool

The 2-1 second leg win for Liverpool not only sealed qualification to the final four but at the same time, they broke an old standing record.

The Reds took their goal tally to 33 in this campaign of the Champions League, going past the previously set 32 goals by Manchester United.

The front three of Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane have combined for 80 goals in all competitions, with 22 of them being in Europe.

The trio has established themselves as one of the best partnerships and have been terrorizing opposition defences.

In the group stages itself, Liverpool put seven goals on two different occasions whereas, in the knockout stages, they smashed Porto for five in the Round of 16 and put three past Manchester City in the first leg.

Similarly, Salah and Firmino scored their eighth goal respectively, making them the joint top scorer for their club in Europe this season.

#2 Guardiola has a nightmare

Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg
Guardiola had to watch the second half from the stands

The last one week has possibly been of the worst spells of Pep Guardiola's managerial career.

Insult to injury was added when he received a sending off to the stands by the referee in the second leg against Liverpool.

Guardiola was sent off at halftime when he made his way fuming on to the pitch to confront the referee since no stoppage time was added at the end of the first 45 minutes.

This meant that the Manchester City boss had to see his team get knocked out of the Champions League, from the stands.

It has been a torrid past seven days for the Spaniard as City not only lost twice to Liverpool over two legs but they also squandered a two-goal lead and an opportunity to clinch the Premier League title against their bitter rivals, Manchester United on Saturday.

During this span, his side has conceded three goals on three consecutive occasions as well as losing three games in a row and twice to his nemesis, Jurgen Klopp.

Elimination from Europe also resulted in Guardiola's long-awaited search for another Champions League trophy continue, with his last taste of success being in 2011 with Barcelona.

#1 Salah hits a half century

Manchester City v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg
Salah celebrates equalizing for Liverpool

Yes, you heard it right, Mohamed Salah achieved the historic landmark of reaching the inevitable 50.

His second half equaliser was his eighth goal in the UEFA Champions League this campaign and 39th in all competitions.

Along with his goals, the Egyptian has 11 assists taking his tally to 50 direct goal involvements for Liverpool on both the domestic and continental stage.

Manchester City was the dominant side until Salah equalized for Liverpool to calm the nerves for Jurgen Klopp's side.

The goal allowed the Reds a sigh of relief as they got the vital away goal to make it a three-goal deficit as they bounced back to claim the win in the second leg and ensure qualification to the semi-finals.

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