Liverpool vs Manchester City Live Score and Commentary, UEFA Champions League 2017-18 LIV vs MCFC

Not sure how many folks wagered on a 3-0 win for the Reds, those who did, your optimism is incredible! Liverpool's performance in that first half was perhaps the best by any team this season.

We've seen Ronaldo dismantle Juve and Madrid wreck PSG, we've seen PSG smash Bayern and vice-versa, but Liverpool's pressing game was at another level tonight. The 45 minutes that won them the tie perhaps? We'll see. It's never over till the fat lady sings.

This is Amit Mishra, and I'll see you next time! Thanks for following the action with me!

Peeeeeeeeeep! Full time! Liverpool will take a three-goal lead to the Etihad!

90+3' Sterling is booked, and the Kop absolutely love it! Liverpool have it in the City half...just where they need it to be...

90+1' City have the ball forward but a series of deflections from Sane's attempted one-two with De Bruyne falls kindly for Karius who collects and holds on to it as if it's the first piece of bread he's seen in weeks!

3 minutes have been added on...can City reduce the deficit?

90' Walker crosses one from the right, hoping someone can get to it but it's collected safely by Karius to the delight of the Kop!

89' Again City get inside the penalty box on the left but are let down by the final ball. Silva the culprit this time.

88' A goal here for City would make the tie interesting. They'd need a 2-0 win at the Etihad and that is definitely doable. They don't look like scoring, however.

86' Henderson has been booked for a rash tackle on Sterling and he'll subsequently miss the second leg! That's a potential problem for the Reds.

85' Oxlade-Chamberlain is off for Alberto Moreno.

84' City have the ball in the back of the net but the ref calls for offside! Tell you what, Sane looked level there! Liverpool perhaps get away with one. Pep won't be happy with that!

83' Half a chance for City as De Bruyne's cross was into a dangerous area and took a deflection off van Dijk. But Silva didn't know anything about it and couldn't react in time!

82' City have controlled the game in the second half but Liverpool have allowed them to. They're still trying to create an opening but Karius still hasn't had anything notable to do.

80' De Bruyne clatters into Mane and in the process, gets booked. The incident before that was iffy as Sterling went down in the penalty box. Too soft is what the ref thought, and rightly so.

79' Henderson with another majestic block! City were cycling possession but Henderson took matters into his own hands by getting out and blocking De Bruyne's shot.

77' It's all about managing the last few minutes here. Imagine smashing CIty and keeping a clean sheet!

76' Jesus gets booked for his remonstration to the referee. A bit petulant after a clear foul on Milner. He's had a frustrating afternoon.

75' Sterling was released by a champagne pass from De Bruyne but the former Liverpool attacker's cross was behind Jesus who couldn't do much with it. Bad end product. The home fans love it, though.

73' Lovren wins another header and in the process, a freekick as well. Boy has he silence a few critics today! City are still probing for an opening...

72' Solanke's energy nearly gets Liverpool a fourth! He chases a lost cause and squares it for Mane, but the Senegalese isn't able to direct his shot properly as he was off balance.

71' I was wrong. It's Bobby Firmino coming off. He doesn't look all that pleased, but the team man he is, still affords a smile. Solanke is on.

69' Solanke is expected to come on, presumably for Sadio Mane here who looks knackered. He did put in quite a shift in the first half!

68' Mane thought he could break but Fernandinho does well to get back and wrestle back possession. Lovren and van Dijk are in for a busy 20 odd minutes here...

67' The game is becoming a bit of an eyesore as Liverpool's intensity has dropped and we're getting to see CIty's possession recycle routine which has annoyed a lot of fans so far. Passes without penetration.

65' TAA is often found out of position but such is his pace that he able to get back in time and make a tackle. Sane's battle with his has been intriguing, but the Englishman has come out on top so far.

63' Top tackle by Lovren! Sane was free on the left and all he had to do was pick Silva. But Lovren decided to come out and the risk was worth taking! That could have been good angle for Silva to shoot from...

61' 30 minutes to go and City are perhaps a goal away from opening up the tie. Liverpool's defence is doing well but you can't afford City so much space and hope for them not to score.

60' City break after intercepting Firmino's pass in midfield and De Bruyne plays a good pass to Sane. The hopes of a return pass were extinguished as Sane's touch was terrible and Karius safely collects the ball.

59' Sane nearly wriggles free on the left but Karius has the presence of mind to snuff out the chance. The former has been City's biggest threat today.

58' Liverpool have hardly had a sniff in the second half. They're happy to let City have the ball and every time they get the ball, they are just pumping it long. A bit strange this, from the hosts.

57' A chorus of boos ring around Anfield, You guessed it. Sterling is on for Gundogan.

55' Corner to City! De Bruyne's cross was into the dangerous area but TAA clears it. City get another corner from the delivery as Gundogan's shot takes a deflection. Knocking on the door here...

54' City again create half a chance with Sane at the heart of it. But his cross hits the side-netting. Liverpool have dropped off. But can't afford City so much time and space here.

53' Wijnaldum is on for Salah. Not sure how long he'll be out for. Might be precautionary. Massive blow for the rest of the game. however.

52' CHANCE for Sane! The German is picked out brilliantly by Fernandinho but his shot flashes across goal and is off target!

51' Salah is off the pitch, clutching his groin. Not a good sign that.

50' Sane once again tries to have a go at TAA but the fullback manages to get a tackle in and give a corner. Otamendi jumps the highest from the setpiece, but his header is misdirected.

48' City give the ball away but Liverpool are happy to keep it in their own half. Conserving energy for the rest of the half will be on the second half agenda here...

47' The corner comes to nothing but City manage to win the ball back and are passing it in their own half...

46' Corner to City straightaway! Expect them to push early on. They need an early goal to bring some calmness and restore some hope of a comeback!

And we're back! Man City resume the game, kicking from left to right!

The teams are out! What did Guardiola say to the players? A rollicking, I suppose!

Wow. Talk about Liverpool upping their game on a Europan night. Manchester City don't know what has hit them. Herr Klopp's pressing has demolished Guardiola's well-oiled passing machine that recorded more than 80% possession against Everton. Unless Guardiola can come up with a different game plan, the tie could be over in the coming half!

Peeeep! Half time!

45+2' And van Dijk nearly makes it four from the subsequent freekick! Just wide!

45+2' Otamendi is booked for a challenge from behind on Firmino. Naughty, that. The first player to go into the book today.

Two minutes to be added on...

45' Silva makes a driving run down the middle and City try to switch play quickly, but the hosts manage to get it away. Liverpool, for all that has been said of their defence, have been compact as an atom so far. Karius is yet to make a save!

44' ...and it comes to nothing. Overhit by De Bruyne who has looked out of sorts so far.

43' City win a freekick. De Bruyne on the ball...