VIDEO: Coutinho Opens the Scoring, But Reds Trail at the Break

It’s a big blow for Liverpool on the stroke of half-time as Álvaro Negredo puts Manchester City ahead at the Etihad Stadium. Philippe Coutinho put the visitors ahead after Raheem Sterling had the ball in the net, only to be called offside when clearly not.

The lead didn’t last long as Vincent Kompany pulled Manuel Pellegrini’s side level when he beat Martin Skrtel in the air to send head past a stranded Simon Mignolet. The Reds looked better for the go ahead and Coutinho could have doubled his tally when some beautiful interplay between himself, Sterling and stand-in captain Luis Suarez found the Brazilian in space, but City ‘keeper Joe Hart was level to his hurried strike.

We saw the Citizens break quickly on a few occasions earlier in the half, and with bodies committed forward, Jesus Navas was able to spring his fellow Spaniard who finished with a tricky outside of the foot shot that tricked Mignolet to put the hosts back in control.

Although City look good for the points, Liverpool have definitely asked a number of questions of the Champions apparent — more will certainly follow.