Liverpool went into this weekend’s Premier League fixture unbeaten so far this season, and the record looked like disappearing as they went in at the break against Man City losing 2-0. However, two second-half goals from Fernando Torres and an injury-time strike from Kuyt turned the game around for the Reds.

For the game versus Man City, Rafael Benitez made only change from the team that beat PSV Eindhoven in Champions League midweek fixture. The Liverpool boss named midfielder Javier Mascherano in the starting eleven in pace of Robbie Keane. Fernando Torres was played in attack as a solitary striker.

The game started brightly with both teams looking to play open-flowing football. Riera had the game’s first real effort, but Hart in the City goal turned the winger’s shot from an acute angle around the post. At the other end, Robinho controlled well, but the Brazilian struck his 20 yard shot straight at Pepe Reina.

With 20 minutes gone on the clock the home side took the lead following some poor defending from Liverpool. Shaun Wright-Phillips robbed Carragher near the Red area before crossing for Robinho; the Brazilian however lost his footing, but the ball fell invitingly Stephen Ireland who volleyed past Reina.

City then doubled their advantage four minutes before half-time. Javier Garrido stepped up to curl an excellent free-kick over the wall and into the top left-hand corner of Pepe Reina’s net.

The there very little time for a Liverpool reply as the referee blew for half-time with the home side going in at the break holding a 2-0 lead.

The Merseysiders came out in the second-half intent on reducing the deficit, and they could well have had a penalty after only thirty seconds. Dirk Kuyt was caught from behind in the box however the referee failed to point to the spot.

The City defence were sliced apart minutes later, but this time Fernando Torres was on the end to grab a goal back for Liverpool. Steven Gerrard found Alvaro Arbeloa who crossed for Spanish forward to slide the ball past Hart. The strike was the forward’s fourth this season and Liverpool’s 1000th Premier League goal.

The Blues were put under more pressure as they were reduced to ten men as Zabaleta saw red for a lunge on Xabi Alonso. Rafa Benitez responded to the sending-off by bringing on Keane and Dossena for Mascherano and Fabio Aurelio.

The Merseysiders drew level shortly after as Torres rose well at the near post to glance a header past Hart. The striker gained a yard on his marker and head home Gerrard’s corner. The equaliser, which was Torres’ 29th Premier League goal since joining the club, took him one above Patrik Berger’s 27 goal haul, making him Liverpool’s most prolific overseas player in the Premiership.

With the game looking like ending in a draw, Liverpool completed a remarkable comeback in time added-on as Dirk Kuyt stabbed the ball past Hart. The ball broke to the Dutch striker after a Fernando Torres shot struck team-mate Robbie Keane. Kuyt had the simple task of slotting home for two yards out as the Reds stretched their impressive unbeaten start to the season.


Match Stats: Manchester City 2–3 Liverpool

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Kompany, Elano, Robinho (Evans, 79), Jo (Fernandes, 70).

Booked: Red card to Zabaleta. Dunne

Goals: Ireland, 19, Garrido, 41.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio (Docena, 70), Mascherano (Keane, 70), Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera (Benayoun, 80), Torres.

Goals: Torres, 55, 73, Kuyt 90.