Liverpool nears historic title

It’s not important. Who wants to be first in early November? It’s important to be on top in May.

LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (AFP) — Liverpool took a huge step towards a first league title in 30 years after beating defending champion Manchester City, 3-1, at Anfield to open up an eight-point lead at the top of the table.

Two goals in the first 13 minutes from Fabinho and Mohamed Salah gave the European champions a dream start before Sadio Mane’s diving header early in the second half sealed City’s fate.

Bernardo Silva pulled a late goal back, but a third defeat in eight league games leaves City down in fourth, nine points behind Liverpool, and with a mountain to climb if they are to claim a third straight league title.

“It’s nine points, but there is a long way to go,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

“It’s not important. Who wants to be first in early November? It’s important to be on top in May.”

City’s defensive deficiencies have been much publicized without the injured Aymeric Laporte so far this season and it crumbled as Liverpool scored with its first two attacks.

But the visitors were furious with some justification at the move that led to the opening goal when a dangerous foray into the Liverpool box ended with the ball striking Trent Alexander-Arnold on the arm.

Instead of City being awarded a penalty, the hosts broke down the other end and the ball fell to Fabinho on the edge of the area.

The Brazilian is not renowned for his goal scoring, but when invited to shoot by a hesitant City back line, he arrowed a strike beyond stand-in goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.

“Ask the referees, don’t ask me,” said City boss Pep Guardiola on the controversial opener.

“I would like to talk about our performance. It was one of my proudest performances as (Man City) manager.”

The visitors had more of the ball and plenty of chances even in between Liverpool’s early blitz as Raheem Sterling headed wide Kevin De Bruyne’s in-swinging free-kick.

But it was Liverpool that was ruthless as Salah headed home Andy Robertson’s pinpoint.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a goal like it,” said Klopp of his side’s second. “It was wild, intense from the first second.”

“You could sense it was really important for both teams. We scored two incredible goals, but we had to suffer in moments because of the way City played.”