This deserves to go down as a classic for so many reasons.
Not least because Liverpool summoned up a remarkable performance full of grit and determination to end Manchester City ’s 21 game unbeaten run. It was breathless, dramatic and full of controversy as Jurgen Klopp was sent off, City were denied by a big VAR call and it was full of spite and anger.
Glorious entertainment. English football at its very best. Two incredible rivals pushing each other to new heights. And it was also the day when Liverpool showed they are still a force to be reckoned with, especially when the red-hot atmosphere at Anfield makes it feel as if anything is possible.
There was a deafening noise at the final whistle when the stadium came alive and it could be a turning point for their whole season. Liverpool are still ten points behind City, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, and are stuck in eighth. But they were 14 adrift in January last season and still clawed it back before losing the title by a single point.
And with players of the quality of match winner Mo Salah, no-one should write them off because the Egyptian king produced something quite remarkable. Liverpool keeper Alisson got the assist and route one football has never looked quite so good. There were so many big performances for Liverpool and Joe Gomez also produced a magnificent display alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defence.
We will be talking about this game for a long time and the fall-out will drag on because you could see Pep Guardiola’s anger and frustration as City let it slip. These two have scrapped it out for the title in the past four seasons - and there is no sign of the rivalry ending any time soon.
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No matter how poorly Liverpool have started the season, they summoned up something special and Diogo Jota and Andy Robertson both had chances in the first half. City really should have gone ahead five minutes before the break when Kevin De Bruyne’s cross found Erling Haaland but even his supply line of goals dried up as his header was saved by Alisson.
If the first half was entertaining, the second half was off the scale. Salah went through, his low shot was somehow saved by Ederson's outstretched hand and yet the officials gave a goal kick.
Then came City’s big complaint. De Bruyne and Haaland set up Phil Foden who squeezed the ball into the net after 53 minutes. But VAR ruled it out after Haaland was adjudged to have fouled Fabinho in the build-up.
It was a shirt pull. But referee Anthony Taylor was right on top of the incident, had the perfect view, so why did VAR Darren England re-referee the game? That’s not the idea. Guardiola was incensed. Anfield was lifted. Liverpool then got their rewards after 76 minutes. De Bruyne’s free kick was plucked out of the air by Alisson, the Liverpool keeper launched the ball forward and th chase was on.
Joao Cancelo misjudged the ball, Salah latched onto it and raced away before slotting past Ederson. This time the ball went into the net. And the roof came off Anfield. The tension clearly got to Klopp who lost his cool on the touchline and, no matter his complaints, shouting into linesman Gary Beswick was unforgivable and the referee was right to send him off.
But even though Guardiola will not agree, Liverpool still just about deserved to win.
