Twitter melts down as Liverpool thrash Manchester City 3-0

For the first time since 2009, two English clubs locked horns in the knockout stages of the Champions League as Liverpool welcomed Manchester City to Anfield for the first leg of the quarter-finals.

As if that in itself didn't provide enough reason to get excited, it was also the clash between two of the best teams in all of Europe this season and they share a bit of history this season as well.

Liverpool was the first team to defeat City in the league this season and the Anfield faithful were hopeful that their team can repeat the feat. And my word, weren't their prayers answered?

Mohammed Salah scored the opening goal in the 12th minute as he was found by Roberto Firmino after a scramble in the City box. And by doing so, the Egyptian netted his 38th goal of the season.

Their lead was doubled in the 20th minute by Oxlade Chamberlain as the City defense was caught napping and the Englishman thundered a Gerrard-esque screamer to break the net. Liverpool fans were sent into delirium when Sadio Mane headed past a helpless Ederson ten minutes later from Salah's cross.

The tempo slowed down in the second half as City tried relentlessly to break Liverpool's defense. In the 52nd minute, however, Salah was withdrawn following what looked like a groin injury and will be a cause for concern for Klopp.

It was a half of few chances and neither side could convert those that came their way. Liverpool's defense miraculously held on to claim a crucial 3-0 advantage going into the second leg.

Here's how Twitter reacted:

STAT ATTACK!

Pep Guardiola has lost more games to Jürgen Klopp (6) than any other manager in his career.Klopptonite. ☄️ pic.twitter.com/Ag5kcz49DS

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 4, 2018

Mohamed Salah has now been directly involved in 49 goals across all competitions this season:38 goals ⚽️11 assists 🅰️At least 10 more than any other Premier League player. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/rQxu4hdJk9

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 4, 2018

7 - James Milner has seven assists so far in the Champions League this season; three more than any other player. Interesting. pic.twitter.com/n44cPahWVL

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 4, 2018

TWITTER LAUDED LIVERPOOL!

Salah ⚽Mane ⚽Firmino 💪Liverpool's attack are out of control 🕺 pic.twitter.com/ysMTeXM5W4

— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) April 4, 2018

What a transcendent 45 minutes of football by Liverpool. To make Pep Guardiola's Manchester City look human, fallible, flawed and merely mortal is a superlative collective feat

— roger bennett (@rogbennett) April 4, 2018

Salah, Mane and the Ox with the headlines but what about Robertson? Bursting with pride for him tonight. Outstanding. £8m 😂 #YWNA

— Chris (@arabforlife83) April 4, 2018

Stop comparing who's better between Messi and Ronaldo. They both are best player in the world right now.After Mohamed Salah.

— IG : Anfield_Bible (@AnfieldBible) April 4, 2018

The whole team absolutely sensational so far. Midfield first to everything. No sign of nerves whatsoever. Irresistible Liverpool.

— Jack Sear (@JackSear) April 4, 2018

Unbelievable Liverpool pic.twitter.com/qPtChnpzgD

— Sivas Suleiman (@SivasSuleiman) April 4, 2018

Some really valiant defending from Liverpool. Not giving City much and closing down really well and getting timely clearances.They’re holding their ground. #UCL #LFC #LIVMCI

— Justa Duck On A Pond (@Leo_Debonaire) April 4, 2018

#UCL HT' Liverpool 3-0 Manchester City pic.twitter.com/ZMXqLX8E4d

— 8 Fact Football (@8Fact_Footballl) April 4, 2018

Loris Karius tonight... pic.twitter.com/5aviDDwUui

— City Watch (@City_Watch) April 4, 2018

12': Liverpool 1-0 Man City 20': Liverpool 2-0 Man City 30': Liverpool 3-0 Man City pic.twitter.com/4DeSZwmsX3

— MinutoFinal (@MinutoFinaI) April 4, 2018

In 31 years supporting Liverpool that’s the best half of football I’ve ever seen from a Liverpool side absolutely astonishing

— John O Sullivan (@Corballyred) April 4, 2018

CITY WAS TROLLED MERCILESSLY!

Sheikh Mansour (Man City Owner) after the game pic.twitter.com/X7Rl141zER

— ghost (@_TheTaste_OfInk) April 4, 2018

First half highlights- Liverpool vs City pic.twitter.com/ACHA762FFL

— Busy Buddies 🇳🇬™ (@thebusybuddies) April 4, 2018

Pep has got it completely wrong in the first half. Going for a 3-4-2-1 vs. Liverpool’s front 3 is madness. No tracking from Man City’s wide players. Overloads every time for Liverpool out wide. #Fraudiola pic.twitter.com/BAql9dVenu

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 4, 2018

KDB dropping a -125/10 to this Liverpool midfield is this your pfa poty? 😭😭

— #10 (@EriksenRole) April 4, 2018

Salah to Pep Guardiola"Is this your defence?!" pic.twitter.com/zJLV81udO7

— Football Edits (@F_Edits) April 4, 2018

Laporte when salah runs with the ball 😂 #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/zDOTek19DX

— Alipp (@aliffhazard_) April 4, 2018

@ManUtd Can we pls loan Ashley Young to Man city for the 2nd half..? Let's help a neighbour They need him to stop Salah 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/oFyjuMl3rZ

— Oliviera45 (@Oli_gasty) April 4, 2018

Laporte when he gets a break from Mo Salah at half-time: pic.twitter.com/WS3w83Hnky

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) April 4, 2018

We are a quarter of the way through the Champions League quarter-final tie and Manchester City - the most expensively assembled squad of all-time - have still not had a shot on target. pic.twitter.com/CA28Q5Aw0J

— bet365 (@bet365) April 4, 2018

Spend billions, spend whatever you want, get whoever you want. I may sound like troll football, but Passion > Money, is the truest fact of them all. Manchester City and PSG will never achieve in the biggest stage, very soon when players will also lose interest in them.

— Rοgυε 🅥‏ (@Kaka10i) April 4, 2018

City bout to lose the 3 fans they gained worldwide this year

— kenna (@kennagq) April 4, 2018

Man City “greatest PL team in history” pic.twitter.com/ub7hhXdm4a

— Man Utd Videos ⚽️🎦 (@ManUtdVines) April 4, 2018

The perfect TV for City fans tonight 😂 pic.twitter.com/bU651l1tHf

— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) April 4, 2018

Former City player, Edin Dzeko, has scored for Roma over in Barcelona. And that's probably the closest Man City have come to scoring tonight.

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 4, 2018