A season defining game for Liverpol has given them one foot in the semi-final after a more than satisfactory Guardiola side wilt under an impassioned home display. The Germans side wasted no time in showing just how far they have come under his charge, relentless pressure took its toll early after Mohammed Salah started the scoring after only 12 minutes with goals following from Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane.

Two bastions of English football approach Anfield, engulfed in a sea of red smoke, to greet and to intimidate. Fans had been gathering for hours desperate to spur on another historic European night under lights.

Even the most coveted legends of the game have come to Anfield and have wavered under the pressure, have instantly numbed at the deafening atmosphere of the Kop. The late Johan Cruyff recalled “I sat there watching the fans and they sent shivers down my spine. A mass of 40,000 people became one force behind their team”.

It is no coincidence that Jurgen Klopp chose Liverpool, he had other more profitable options on the table, clubs that had better players than Liverpool. Yet Liverpool was the only real option for him, the German has always held the idea that the fans are everything, they can win and loose games this is why Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp seemed destined to collide at some point in their journey. If you do not come to conquer your opposition Jurgen Klopp’s sides and fans will put you to the sword and this time Manchester City were the victims.

A typically intense start took its toll on City after twelve minutes when a determined Firmino nicked the ball away from Walker’s grasp for Salah to do what has been a common occurrence this season, consummate composure in the tightest of situations.

Then came the second, Anfield erupted in elation again but now with the added belief that this tie could now be theirs. Space opens up for Chamberlain outside the box, barely a second elapses, his shot rasps the back of the net, 2-0. The third arrived and it was pure ecstasy, another calm, controlled effort, this time the Egyptian turned provider for Sadio Mane who headed in from close range.

The second half arrives and the real question was whether Liverpool would be able to withhold city’s offensive. Would they be able to take a clean sheet to the Etihad? They did with the real character, City came and came to Liverpool withheld, without the visitors even notching a shot on target. An inspired performance from 19-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold cannot go unnoticed his tenacious and determined attitude coming up against his counterpart Leroy Sane was tantamount to the Reds success.

This tie is not over yet though, Man City will inevitably garner courage from there previous display against the Reds this season. Guardiola has a wealth of talent in his armory to try and expose Klopp’s side, he could welcome back Sergio Aguero into the fold to add to that much-needed potency in the final third. Manchester City is more than capable of turning this tie around.

But the facts remain, an impassioned performance has handed Liverpool a real advantage going into the second half of the tie. One side a game away from Premier League supremacy and another that looks to be unraveling into a side of decades gone by.

Liverpool’s achievement tonight was without precedent. One of the greatest sides the Premier League have had to offer have not only not registered a shot on target but conceded 3 to a Liverpool side on the verge of something very special under Jurgen Klopp.