Liverpool 4 City 1
Report by Colin Hall
Premier League champions Leicester City slumped to their heaviest top flight away defeat in 15 years, as hosts Liverpool produced a powerful performance of pace and precision to blow them away.
Once again, the Foxes appeared sluggish after a break for international fixtures and the effects of long-haul air flights on minds and bodies were once again all too often in evidence. However, even a fully-fit, full-strength visiting side may have struggled to cope with the quality and ruthlessness on show from a fired-up home team.
City, unchanged from the side that started the previous game against Swansea, kicked off towards the Kop end, forcing a corner within the opening seconds. Mahrez's flag-kick, though, failed to clear the near post – setting the tone for much of what was to follow throughout the evening from player and team alike.
After Okazaki had sent a half-chance into the Kop from long range, the hosts set about implementing their game plan. Home manager Jurgen Klopp had clearly identified weaknesses within the City ranks and his players ensured that they were exploited to the full.
The pressure was made to tell, as Firmino and Mane both found the net to put Liverpool in control. But an astonishing lapse by makeshift defender Lucas, who miscued an attempted back-pass straight into the path of Vardy, handing the England striker an opportunity he was never going to miss.
As Anfield reeled, City showed glimpses of the spirit and endeavour that served the side so well last season. Indeed, Huth almost snatched an equaliser within minutes, beating home keeper Mignolet to a long throw from substitute Hernandez, only for his header to bounce off the crossbar.
The second half began with the game still very much in the balance and Musa's introduction in attack gave City more mobility and energy in that area of the field. However, vulnerabilities remained evident elsewhere in the side, and once Lallana had finished an excellent passing move to restore Liverpool's two-goal advantage, the destiny of the points was never really in doubt.
Only the brilliance of Schmeichel, showing no ill-effects from his recent hernia operation, kept the scoreline within the bounds of respectability during the remainder of the match. City flickered intermittently, with Vardy twice forcing Mignolet into fine saves, but sent too many passes astray to present any lasting threat to a home defence which frequently appeared less than robust.
This lethargy was punished further in the closing minutes, as Mane chased down a home clearance to beat a recklessly-advancing Schmeichel and tee up Firmino, who duly converted to put the home side 4-1 up and inflict further damage on City's goal difference.
Both the result and performance were far from ideal for a team preparing for a Champions League debut in Bruges. The manager's gamble of handing Daniel Amartey only his second start in midfield, at a venue as formidable as Anfield, did not exactly bear dividend.
This team and management is still struggling to cope with the pressures that are incumbent upon reigning league champions. Every opposing team treats games with the intensity of a cup final and it is clear that several key players are failing to meet the mental and physical challenges that are confronting them.
Nevertheless, the Blue Army, whose voice and humour both remained undaunted by this latest setback, will travel to Belgium in optimistic mood in the hope that their heroes, augmented by the addition of record signing Slimani, can finally come good on the biggest stage of all.
Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Lucas, Matip, Milner; Mane (Moreno 90), Henderson (c), Lallana, Wijnaldum (Stewart 76); Firmino, Sturridge (Coutinho 76). Subs not used: Karius, Grujic, Klavan, Origi.
Goals: Firmino 13, 89, Mane 31, Lallana 56.
Booking: Henderson.
City: Schmeichel, Simpson (Hernández 34), Huth, Morgan (c), Fuchs; Mahrez, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton (Ulloa 65); Okazaki (Musa 46); Vardy. Subs not used: Zieler, Chilwell, King, Gray.
Goal: Vardy 38.
Bookings: Amartey, Huth.
Attendance: 51 132. Referee: Craig Pawson.
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation