As a statement of intent for 2017, this was not utterly resounding but it was clear enough. As Chelsea continued their extraordinary run of victories, Liverpool responded. Not overwhelmingly but with enough verve, energy and robustness to suggest that they will at least chase Chelsea well into the New Year.
Anfield resounded with the songs of old and the roar at the end might have been heard on the King’s Road. A grinning Jurgen Klopp embraced players, The Kop was saluted and hope abounded. A title challenge is building and shaky though they look at times, Liverpool are a force with which to be reckoned. Their sheer determination, energy and enthusiasm demand they be taken seriously, quite aside from the quality they can show going forwards.
They played ‘Nothing’s Going to Stop Us Now’ at the end. That was perhaps overegging it. Still, Jurgen Klopp’s team looks a cut above Pep Guardiola’s. And unlike in Germany, Guardiola can’t simply poach Klopp’s best players to make good the gap. Indeed, if Manuel Pellegrini or Roberto Mancini were ten points off the pace half way through the season, searching questions would be asked over recruitment and motivation. Guardiola will naturally be given time to adapt.
A grapple for a place in the top four would mark something of a downgrade on Guardiola's previous exploits in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but Klopp, who ultimately laboured under his rival's latter successes while in charge of Borussia Dortmund, might just have introduced him to a new reality.
City began confidently, but the breakthrough came for the hosts on their first attack of note in the eighth minute.
Adam Lallana drifted in from the left and his floated cross was met by Wijnaldum, whose perfectly time run allowed him to tower over Aleksandar Kolarov and plant a header past Claudio Bravo.
Liverpool remain second while Manchester City remain third but could drop to the fifth position if both Arsenal and Tottenham win their next fixtures.
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