Maybe the wounds of the League Cup final loss have not healed completely but Liverpool went a long way in trying to do that on a recuperative night at Anfield, as Manchester City were put to the sword at a ground that has been an absolute graveyard for them in recent years.
It was as complete as any of Liverpool’s performances this season - all the way through from back to front.
Trending
As always, the challenge for Jurgen Klopp will be to find some sort of consistency, as we head into a crucial period of Liverpool’s season with the Europa League Round of 16 tie against Manchester United looming large.
For City, it was a huge blow to their title hopes – although it was a blow that was softened by Swansea and West Ham, who beat Arsenal and Tottenham respectively.
Here's my view of how each player fared tonight.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet - 6
Did not have a save to make until the dying moments of the game, and even that was only a weak shot from Wilfried Bony. He would like more games like this.
Jon Flanagan - 8
A super game for the Scouser. He had Raheem Sterling in his pocket all through the first half, forcing Manuel Pellegrini to take the former Liverpool winger off. Flanagan set the tone in the early minutes, with a perfectly good crunching tackle on Sterling. He didn't stop there, as he bossed his flank. The only negative was his passing at times, as it proved to be slightly uncertain.
Kolo Toure - 7.5
Kun Aguero has had a terrific time in the Premier League against Liverpool recently, but today, Kolo said no! I don't know why, but it looked like he was faster across the turf. What impressed me the most today was his conviction in dealing what City threw at him.
Dejan Lovren - 7.5
This was the type of Lovren that Brendan Rodgers had envisioned when he signed him in the summer of 2014. He was a commanding aerial presence, and along with Toure, marshaled the defense expertly.
Nathaniel Clyne - 7
Clyne got up in attack on the left flank a little more than Flanagan on the other side, but he did not neglect his defensive duties. Jesus Navas may be a one-trick pony, but Clyne stuck to his task and ensured that City's Spanish winger got no joy.
Emre Can - 7.5
A much-improved performance from what we have seen in recent times. He was strong, fearless in the tackle and his passing was crisp and certain. He ensured that David Silva had no room to dictate the play for City.
Jordan Henderson - 7
Is the effect of that heel injury slowly going away? There was a lot more of the old Henderson on show, as he put in a proper shift, pressed rather efficiently and passed it reasonably well. It was a good performance, but one does know that there is a lot more that Henderson can achieve.
James Milner - 9
His best game in a Liverpool shirt by a country mile. He pressed the life out of City, and at long last, displayed some quality on the ball as well. It was a brilliantly taken goal - especially the first touch off Firmino's pass - which took him away from the defenders and one-on-one with Joe Hart.
Adam Lallana - 9.5
Man of the Match. Lallana ran his backside off. Closed down City's players endlessly. His link-up play was good. And as with Milner, it was important that he backed his work up with the end product, which he did with a goal and an assist rounding off a good night's work for the Reds' no. 20.
Roberto Firmino - 8
Another fabulous performance from the Brazilian who is beginning to love life at Anfield, after a rather slow start. Like both Lallana and Milner, he got himself a goal and an assist.
Divock Origi - 7.5
You can see that this lad has got a bundle of talent. He ensured that Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi were always on their toes. There could have been more quality on the ball from the Belgian, but in truth, he was enough of a nuisance to City.
Substitutes
Christian Benteke – 6.5
I liked what Benteke did in the 20 minutes that he was on the pitch. He was more mobile than we've seen in recent times, and used his strength well against Kompany, winning a couple of free-kicks off the City captain.
Joe Allen – N/A
A special mention to Allen for a brilliant dipping shot in the dying embers of the game.
Jordon Ibe – N/A
Came on for James Milner in the 88th minute.
Manchester City
Joe Hart – 6
There was nothing that Hart could have done for any of the Liverpool goals. He pulled off a magnificent save midway through the second half to deny Milner a second goal on the night.
Pablo Zabaleta – 6.5
It was an energetic performance from CIty’s Argentine right-back. Zabaleta was their most solid defender on display. He did try to go forward and support Navas, but like the rest of his team fell flat.
Vincent Kompany – 6
In the League Cup final on Sunday, Kompany was a strong, commanding presence. In this game, he was a shadow that. The ball was swerving around in the wind, and that made life uncomfortable for him, but Pellegrini would have been looking for more of a presence from his captain.
Nicolas Otamendi – 5
He was run ragged by Liverpool’s attackers. He made a few wrong decisions and was made to pay for it.
Gael Clichy – 5
It was a tired performance from Clichy. He was tirelessly closed down by Milner and Lallana and that meant he offered very little going forward.
Fernando - 5
As strong a performance as it was by Liverpool's attackers, one felt that City's back four was exposed a lot more than they would have liked. Protecting the back four in Fernando's duty, and one that he failed at in this game.
Fernandinho - 7
He was probably the best City player on show. He was energetic, passed it well, and looked to drive City forward when he could. It was a shock that the likes of Silva and Navas were left on the pitch instead of him.
Jesus Navas – 4.5
He is a one-trick pony, there is no denying that. He cut a frustrated figure on City’s right flank, as Clyne stuck to his task.
Raheem Sterling – 4
It was an off-day for Sterling. Flanagan completely bossed him, much to the joy of the Kop.
David Silva – 4
One generally expects so much more from Silva than what he showed in this game. He was well off the pace and thoroughly overrun by Liverpool’s midfield.
Sergio Aguero – 4.5
He didn’t find any joy in anything he tried as Liverpool’s defenders stood firm.
Substitutes
Wilfried Bony – 5/10
Brought on for Sterling in the 46th minute, Bony did not make the impact that Pellegrini would have expected from them.
Kelechi Iheanacho - 5.5/10
The youngster tried his best but was kept in check by Flanagan.
Aleksandar Kolarov - N/A
Brought on for Clichy in the 74th minute.
