English football has never seen a team as good as Manchester City was in 2017/18.
They may not have had the long-term sustainability of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United or the tough invincibility of Arsene Wenger … yes, Invincibles, but in terms of performances in a single season, Pep Guardiola’s Centurions were the best of the best.
When Liverpool inflicted their first defeat of the season in January, it was groundbreaking, but it was generally seen as a bit of a lust.
Three years ago today, Liverpool produced another special European night at Anfield. ✨pic.twitter.com/zK09aQmXJK
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) April 4, 2021
In one of the wildest matches the Premier League has ever seen, the Reds loaded a 4-1 lead that made City’s head spin. It looked as if Jurgen Klopp’s high-pressure system was the antidote to Guardiola’s possession-based dominance, and there were whispers that Liverpool had the secret weapon to end City’s terror.
Still, the hectic nature of the game and the fragility that Liverpool showed in the final 4-3 win indicated that they had a long way to go before they could even dream of competing with the dominant force from Manchester. It was a once-in-a-lifetime, and that was what City would prove when the two sides were drawn together in the Champions League quarter-final.
However, within half an hour of returning to a fierce Anfield, Liverpool made it clear to Premier League leaders that they had something to worry about. City did not know where to look; just as they had been months before, they were hunted at every turn.
#OnThisDay 2018 …
⚽️ 12 ‘Salah⚽️ 21’ Oxlade-Chamberlain⚽️ 31 ‘Mané
Anfield rocked when Liverpool turned the style against Man City in the Champions League? Pic.twitter.com/VVlABVhpju
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 4, 2021
Every time Liverpool regained possession (it happened a lot) they looked like scoring goals. It was 11 against 11, but Guardiola’s team looked extensive.
City’s unfortunate defensive performance was summed up within ten minutes when their entire back line was pulled over to Roberto Firmino, only for the Brazilian to stick the ball in the way of Mohamed Salah. Ederson was left behind, Salah did what was needed and Anfield left.
The visitors had tried to throw Liverpool from their step by making them attack the Kop end in the first half, but it hit back spectacularly. The deafening sound behind the City defense obviously made them anxious, and it only got louder when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain delivered his finest moment in a Liverpool shirt.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s rocket against Man City has been voted as the goal of the season?
What strike? Pic.twitter.com/W21fO3v9lc
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) 10 May 2018
It came after James Milner flew into a challenge to nod the ball from Ilkay Gundogan. Oxlade-Chamberlain, who controlled the loose ball, would only do one thing from there. One push and then it exploded beyond Ederson.
Cut to Pep Guardiola and shrug your shoulders at the touchline with no idea what to do best.
When Sadio Mane entered Salah’s cross on the half – hour mark, it really seemed as if it could have been double digits. City did not know how to defend against Liverpool, and it would take them a while to learn.
It would be more than two years before Klopp’s team finally broke City’s stranglehold on English football, but this was an early sign that the tide was changing and the Premier League champions still had weakness.
It was a spectacular European night at Anfield, and it set the wheels in motion for an era-defining rivalry.
