Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool: Player Ratings

Liverpool

Liverpool have secured passage into this season's Champions League semi-finals

Loris Karius: 7/10

He couldn't do much about Jesus' early opener but was brave when he needed to be, making a few good punches and interventions in the box to clear in dangerous moments.

Andy Robertson: 7/10

Started slowly but the Scotland international gradually settled after City's fast start saw him initially struggle to contend with their pace and purpose down the flank. Less wasteful with his passing after the interval and a decent display.

Dejan Lovren: 8/10

He was solid and needed to be against City, especially in the first 45, where they created plenty of goalscoring opportunities. Three tackles, ten clearances, an interception, and three blocked shots - performances like these are encouraging to say the least from someone with his error-prone tendencies.

Lovren celebrates at the full-time whistle after an impressive defensive display

Virgil van Dijk: 7.5/10

Just like Dejan, van Dijk was fairly good, and again solid at the back for Liverpool. He made eleven clearances and was kept busy too. Crucially though, he started slowly and his involvement in City's goal - appealing for a foul instead of playing on - means he gets marked down.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7.5/10

After last week's display, it was always going to be intriguing to see how the youngster would hold his own against Leroy Sané and co once more. This time, he did well again under tougher circumstances, having received a first-half booking too.

Three tackles, six interceptions and two clearances aside, the teenager's progress has been key to Liverpool's improved defensive displays. On this occasion, he did - like others - start slowly and his passing left a lot to be desired (70.4% - one of the worst across both teams during the game).

Georginio Wijnaldum: 6.5/10

In place of the suspended Jordan Henderson, the Dutchman didn't have much impact in the first-half and struggled to assert himself early on. As the game wore on though, he was more comfortable and recovered well - having been overrun on numerous occasions, to begin with.

James Milner: 8/10

With every passing week, it seems City's decision to let Milner leave was naive at the time, not least to one of their league and European rivals! His display would not have caught the attention of many as he didn't get much of the ball, but was excellent out of possession.

Crucially, he provided an experienced head at a time where the Reds found themselves in a precarious situation at 1-0 down early on. Four blocked shots, two clearances and a tackle too, he worked hard and proved influential in a defensive sense once more.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 7.5/10

Admittedly, his decision-making is still questioned by critics, but it's impossible to question the former Arsenal man's determination and eagerness to contribute, irrespective of the circumstances at hand.

He made important defensive interventions out of possession when City were attempting to get ahead of steam and score again - whilst proving a dangerous attacking outlet too. He was unlucky not to score an equaliser just before the interval, having come close from a tight angle, and did his reputation no harm either.

Sadio Mané: 8.5/10

Liverpool's best player. Sure, Salah and Firmino will undoubtedly get the plaudits but Mané excelled when his side needed him most - that burst of energy, invention to create chances out of seemingly nothing, he does so well. Harshly booked early on, he did well not to retaliate when Ederson was angrily pushing him afterwards, and didn't let the occasion affect his performance.

Mané worked tirelessly to create chances out of nothing for Liverpool in-and-around the City box

Seven completed dribbles, fouled once, made three interceptions and made good use of possession throughout.

Mohamed Salah: 8/10

Given City's dominance in the early exchanges, you knew that they had to make it count otherwise they'd be punished, similar to the way they were in the first leg, as Liverpool's counter-attacking style has proven too much to handle.

Salah - who had the least touches (31) of any player starting - made no mistake from close-range after Mané's brilliant run, leaving Ederson and Otámendi in his wake to convert and essentially kill off their hopes of a comeback.

Roberto Firmino: 8/10

Industrious. Worked hard for his side and it showed, particularly when pressing from the front as he usually does. Two fouls committed comes with the territory given his playing style - but two tackles, an interception and blocked shot are stats which prove the relentless energy with which he plays has its benefits.

After all, if not for his pressure on Otámendi, he wouldn't have got the goal he deserved for his efforts.

Firmino celebrates his finish after relentless pressing earned him a deserved goal

Substitutes

Ragnar Klavan, Nathaniel Clyne and Danny Ings: All N/A, would be unfair to give them true ratings. The trio were introduced in the final few minutes with the result already confirmed and not much in the way of opportunities for them to do anything of note.