Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool (agg 1-5): 5 Talking Points

#1 Liverpool show why they are one of the favourites to win the Champions League

Liverpool are serial contenders to win the Champions League

If I had made this claim during the group stage, you probably would have had a hearty laugh. But the situation has changed dramatically in a matter of months. Jurgen Klopp's men have stormed their way into the semis of the Champions League and now possess a serious chance of winning their sixth major European title.

Liverpool put FC Porto to the sword in the round of 16 and have now got the better of Manchester City, "the best team in the world at the moment," according to Jurgen Klopp. The manner in which the Reds have stormed past their opponents, even showing defensive resilience, is what has caught everyone's attention.

Liverpool hunt in numbers, regaining possession and completing the transition in a flash. Their forwards have scored 79 goals amongst themselves, which is no mean feat! But the thing that has impressed the most is their defending.

The Reds were under the cosh in the second leg but they never conceded many clear-cut chances to City. Dejan Lovren was solid at the back, the fullbacks never left their markers, and Van Dijk marshalled the entire backline with expertise. Clearance, after clearance was made, through balls were intercepted and shots were blocked/deflected by the diving bodies.

Liverpool look balanced across the pitch, and judging by their masterclass over Manchester City, any team left in the competition will look to avoid facing Klopp's Liverpool.

10 – Liverpool have reached the semi-final stage of the European Cup/Champions League for the 10th time – the only English team to have appeared in more are Man Utd (12). Stalwarts. pic.twitter.com/gPcFhb7fWF

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 10, 2018