Liverpool vs Manchester City, Champions League - as it happened
Re-live all the action from a memorable night at Anfield
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Your support makes all the difference.From five to two, the Premier League participation was whittled down in the last 16, and will be halved again come semi-final time, as Liverpool and Manchester City come to a head.
Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut are the favourites for this year’s crown given their dominance but, much like how PSG wanted to avoid Real, City will have wanted to avoid Liverpool, the team whose strengths marry up to their weaknesses perfectly.
Guardiola branded the triumvirate of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino “almost unstoppable” but will hope the “almost” part of that assertion is more true than the “unstoppable” bit given that the weakest part of City’s game – if it can be called that – is their defence. Both sides seem to have their Premier League positions sewn up so expect a European classic, but don’t call a Liverpool victory a shock – this one really could go either way.
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Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of Liverpool vs Manchester City.
Join Liam Corless very shortly as he brings you team news, build-up and minute-by-minute coverage.
Just 10 minutes to go now until the line-ups for both teams are revealed.
A mammoth night of Champions League football at Anfield awaits.
City lost their unbeaten Premier League run when they last visited the red side of Merseyside but, despite that, Pep Guardiola's men are the slight bookies' favourites to avenge that loss by emerging victorious tonight.
One thing that's almost for sure is that this match won't end goalless given the attacking natures of both sides.
Liverpool vs Manchester City team news
Liverpool starting XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson (C), Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane, Firmino, Salah
Subs: Mignolet, Clyne, Wijnaldum, Moreno, Ings, Solanke, Masterson
Manchester City starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Kompany (C), Otamendi, Laporte, Fernandinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Sane, Jesus
Subs: Bravo, Danilo, Stones, Sterling, Delph, Bernardo, Zinchenko
Gareth Southgate is at Anfield for tonight's match and the England manager has just delivered the following tribute to the late Ray Wilkins following his tragic passing earlier today.
"I played with Ray at Crystal Palace. It was a pleasure to work with him. We had six months with him.
"I used to room with him and he had the respect of everybody. He was a class act. You could see then that his technical ability was incredible and he was an absolute gentleman to work with.
"It was privilege to have known him. He was universally respected by everybody in football. He was a real enthusiast for the game and he's been a fantastic ambassador."
Steven Gerrard reckons home advantage is huge for Liverpool tonight:
"It's important for City to get through the first 20 minutes with this crowd.
"They [the fans] are the twelfth man so it's a big advantage for Liverpool, especially on a night like this."
Quotes from BT Sport
Liverpool vs Manchester City at Anfield - last five meetings
City fans, look away now...
- Liverpool 4-3 Manchester City, January 2018 (Premier League)
- Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City, December 2016 (Premier League)
- Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City, March 2016 (Premier League)
- Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City, March 2015 (Premier League)
- Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City, April 2014 (Premier League)
Manchester City's team bus was attacked outside Anfield a short while ago, with fans chucking flares and bottles at the bus and shattering one of the windows.
Embarrassing behaviour from Liverpool's supporters and the club can surely expect to be hit with a retrospective Uefa sanction.
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