Coutinho masterclass deals big blow to Manchester City's title hopes

Philippe Coutinho produced another moment of magic to grab a sensational winner as Liverpool enhanced their top-four bid with a 2-1 victory that seriously dents Manchester City's title hopes.

The Brazilian followed up his wonder-strike against Southampton last weekend with another magnificent curler 15 minutes from time to leave the Citizens with an acute sense of deja vu after he struck the decisive effort the last time the two sides met at Anfield.

It dealt City's dreams of retaining the Premier League a major blow as they remain five points adrift of leaders Chelsea, who now have a game in hand on their rivals.

Manuel Pellegrini's side had aimed to heap serious pressure on Jose Mourinho's men with a first victory in the red half of Merseyside since 2003 but they fell behind on 11 minutes to a sensational 25-yard drive from Jordan Henderson.

Sergio Aguero then hit the post moments later for the visitors before the Argentine turned provider to release Edin Dzeko, who tucked a first-time finish underneath Simon Mignolet.

Both sides took turns to carve open some rather tentative defences with Aguero and Raheem Sterling missing good opportunities before Coutinho took centre stage with a wonderful winner in front of the Kop.

The result is a disaster for City but is further proof of Liverpool's rejuvenation as they moved level on points with Arsenal in fourth, ahead of the Gunners' clash with Everton, and just two behind third-placed Manchester United.

PRE-MATCH: Sturridge benched, Yaya Toure returns. Liverpool welcome back Jordan Henderson, Coutinho and Lazar Markovic after the trio missed the Europa League loss at Besiktas. Adam Lallana also starts while Daniel Sturridge is on the bench as Brendan Rodgers looks to manage his recovery from the long-term injury that kept him out for five months. Manchester City are boosted by the return of Yaya Toure while Manuel Pellegrini also hands starts to Eliaquim Mangala, Fernandinho and Aleksandar Kolarov. Edin Dzeko again partners Sergio Aguero with Wilfried Bony amongst the substitutes.

9' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! The ninth minute is all about Adam Lallana. The England playmaker is sent clear by Coutinho but hits a tame shot straight at Hart from 10 yards out. Liverpool continue to press and a sublime touch and volley from the ex-Saints midfielder ends up in the back of the net from a tight angle - but the flag is up! Offside.

11' - GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 MAN CITY. Liverpool lead. Sterling feeds Henderson on the left edge of the area and the stand-in skipper crashes a swerving shot beyond Hart and into the top corner. What a start for the home side!

13' - OFF THE POST! Aguero races into the left side of the area and latches onto Silva's long pass before firing a shot from a tight angle against the far post. Unlucky!

25' - GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-1 MAN CITY. City are level! It's a lovely move involving Toure, Silva and then Aguero, who flicks a ball in-behind for Dzeko who in turn tucks a low shot underneath Mignolet.

54' - GOAL DISALLOWED - AGAIN! Coutinho's free kick is met by Skrtel who guides it down for Lallana to crash home - but the flag is up. Looked like a foul from Skrtel. Lallana has now had two ruled out this afternoon.

75' - GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-1 MAN CITY. It's another sensational strike from Coutinho! The Brazilian cuts in from the left and curves a sublime 25-yard effort into the far corner. The Kop erupts and Liverpool regain the lead.

83' - THE TOURE BROTHERS MEET AT LAST. Kolo Toure comes on for Liverpool. It'll be the first time he's faced his brother, Yaya, in a competitive match.

88' - LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Yaya Toure is again dispossessed by Henderson who finds Sturridge... but the striker fizzes a low shot wide of the far post. He should have sealed it there.

89'- SO CLOSE! Better from Yaya Toure as he powers past several challenges and feeds Silva, who drills just wide of the far post. He should have scored.

Edin Dzeko netted his 50th league goal for Man City.

Liverpool have scored in each of the last 21 league clashes at Anfield – the last time they failed to find the net was in a goalless draw in August 1986.

Arsenal are the only team to prevent Manchester City from scoring in their last 24 Premier League matches.

Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho's goals were the first Man City have conceded from outside the box in the Premier League this season.

Man City have won none of their last 12 Premier League trips to Anfield (W0 D4 L8).

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 11 Premier League matches (W8 D3); the best record of any side over the last 10 games.

(Stats courtesy of Opta and Infostrada)

Does Coutinho's curler mean curtains for City? Manuel Pellegrini's men only have 11 league games left and still trail Chelsea by five points - and the Blues could yet stretch that to eight if they win their game in hand. It was a massive chance for the Citizens to lay down the gauntlet to Jose Mourinho's team, but they once again failed to deliver and although last season proves you can never write them off, it's hard to see Chelsea relinquishing such a strong hold on top spot.

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool). The little magician is beginning to add regular goals to his wonderfully creative game. Surprisingly, City gave him the space to perform and he didn't turn the opportunity down. He was at the heart of all of Liverpool's best moves and capped a virtuoso showing with a great winning goal.

Liverpool: Mignolet 7, Can 7, Skrtel 8, Lovren 5, Henderson 8, Allen 7, Moreno 7, Markovic 7, Lallana 8, Coutinho 9, Sterling 8. Subs: Sturridge 5, Toure 5.

Man City: Hart 6, Zabaleta 6, Mangala 5, Kompany 5, Kolarov 5, Fernandinho 6, Yaya Toure 5, Silva 6, Nasri 5, Dzeko 6, Aguero 7. Subs: Milner 6, Bony 5, Lampard 5.