Picture for representational purpose only.
London: Liverpool slipped from first to fourth in the Premier League after losing 2-1 at Manchester City on Thursday, leaving Arsenal in first place following a frantic Boxing Day programme.
Brendan Rodgers’s Liverpool started the day in first place and they made an impressive start at the Etihad Stadium, with Philippe Coutinho giving the visitors a 24th-minute lead after a neat team move.
However, City captain Vincent Kompany headed home an equaliser seven minutes later and Alvaro Negredo put the hosts in front on the stroke of half-time with a tame shot that Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet could only palm into the net.
“The most important thing today was that we were losing 1-0 but we had the character and the trust to go for the win and we continued trying to attack,” said City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
“I think it was very important to try to finish the year near the top of the table.”
City, who have now won all nine of their home games this season, climb to second place, a point behind Arsenal, while Liverpool, for whom Raheem Sterling spurned a fine second-half chance, are three points off the pace.
“We’re all very proud of the team tonight. I thought how we played — the charisma in our football, and the passing in our game — was exceptional,” said Liverpool manager Rodgers.
Earlier, Theo Walcott had scored twice as Arsenal came from behind to win 3-1 against West Ham United at Upton Park.
Arsenal spurned several first-half chances and they were punished early in the second period when Carlton Cole put the hosts in front after Wojciech Szczesny spilled a shot from Kevin Nolan. —
Rodgers faces rap over ‘Manchester’ ref talk
Manchester: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers faces FA action, and a possible disrepute charge, after complaining about referee Lee Mason in the wake of his team’s 1-2 defeat at Manchester City. Mason, who did appear to make errors on a number of key decisions against Liverpool, is based in Bolton which is technically in the county of “Greater Manchester.”
Bolton is never considered to be part of the city of Manchester but that did not prevent Rodgers from implying that Mason is from “Manchester”.
“We had no help whatsoever from the officials. I thought they were horrendous. I was surprised we’re playing in Manchester with a referee from Greater Manchester. I didn’t think we got any decision go for us,” said Rodgers.
( Source : AFP )
Next Story
