In the English Premier League's biggest match of the season to date, Liverpool FC got on the front foot early in a 3-1 win over Manchester City.
The league leaders led 2-0 within the first 15 minutes Sunday at Anfield, thanks to Fabinho's sixth-minute screamer from outside the box and Mo Salah's 13th-minute header.
WHAT A STRIKE FABINHO 😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/y5bQxukx2W
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 10, 2019
What a pass from Alexander-Arnold 😱
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 10, 2019
What a cross from Roberston 😱
What a finish from Salah 😱 pic.twitter.com/Eou1JcupV1
Liverpool opened the scoring while Manchester City was slow to defend the Reds' counter-attack, disputing the referee's decision to not award a handball on Trent Alexander-Arnold. City controlled the early portions of the match, and Bernardo Silva's pass in the box hit Alexander-Arnold's outstretched arm with City attacker Raheem Sterling running in behind.
The Premier League's rule changes reflecting the International Football Association Board's "Laws of the Game" this summer called for a foul when a player has made their body "unnaturally bigger," but the referee appeared to determine that Alexander-Arnold's outstretched arm was natural.
Man City want handball by Trent Alexander-Arnold before the Liverpool goal
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 10, 2019
Are they hard done by?
📺 Watch live now on Sky Sports PL or follow here: https://t.co/tIbipDtyYB pic.twitter.com/i4NUxTooqi
Alexander-Arnold surely earned himself additional ire from the City faithful with his wonderfully weighted pass on Liverpool's second goal. The right back switched the ball to left back Andy Robertson, whose subsequent cross to Salah left the ball on a platter for the Egyptian striker's run.
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Liverpool's offense runs through their flanks, as Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have been the Premier League's most productive passers this calendar year.
Most Premier League assists in 2019:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 10, 2019
🔴 Trent Alexander-Arnold (12)
🔴 Andrew Robertson (12)
Liverpool's full-backs are dominant. pic.twitter.com/wJ1b6UYgHy
You'd have to go back to April 2017 to see the last time Liverpool lost at Anfield, and that streak continued Sunday. Sadio Mané put the game out of reach with a 51st-minute goal, but Liverpool's two quick goals ultimately proved to be too much for City.