Liverpool ended Manchester City’s unbeaten run in a seven-goal thriller.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had put Jurgen Klopp’s side during an entertaining first half when he fired low past Ederson after barely 10 minutes of play.

But the Premier League champions-elect hit back shortly before the interval when Leroy Sane finished a brilliant jinking run by pulling his side level.

The Reds retook the lead again when Roberto Firmino then shrugged off John Stones and chipped superbly home just 14 minutes into the second half.

Liverpool were later three goals ahead after Sadio Mane smashed a shot from the edge of the box and Mohamed Salah lobbed Ederson from distance.

City attempted a late fight-back when Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan both struck inside the final 10 minutes to set up a tense finale for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Here were the key talking points from Anfield:

Reds still wear world-class tag

 

Philippe Coutinho may have been a world-class player but Liverpool have shown in life without him that they are still a team of all talents.

Their frontline remains comfortably among the best in Europe and could conceivably give the Brazilian’s new Barcelona teammates a run for their money.

Roberto Firmino’s strike was as good as anything Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo can produce, if not even better.

Sadio Mane proved he remains a top player and Mohamed Salah added his customary goal to continue his meteoric rise.

Like that front line, Jurgen Klopp is also in that top bracket.

The Liverpool manager’s tactics were spot on from the first minute, his side dominating a City team that has run away with the Premier League this season.

Three points here means he has won a total of six games against Pep Guardiola in his career, more than any other manager in world football.

City and Guardiola may be the best in Europe but Liverpool have just beaten them comfortably. It’s time for the Reds to receive some recognition too.

Oxlade-Chamberlain on the rise

 

Coutinho’s £142 million departure to Barcelona has opened up an opportunity for several of Liverpool’s squad members to prove their worth.

Most had thought that Adam Lallana would be the most natural fit to replace the Brazilian but it may just be Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that takes up the mantle.

The England international is now starting to show why Liverpool were so keen to deliver him from a relative wilderness period at Arsenal.

His opening goal was one of pure power and pace; an excellent run and finish demonstrating him at his best.

That strike was his third in the Premier League this season, the same amount amassed in his final 71 appearances at the Emirates Stadium.

It seems he is ready to take the opportunity Coutinho’s sale has afforded him.

No.1 debate isn’t going away

 

With a 4-1 win, Liverpool’s goalkeeper debate can be delayed for another week.

But it is not an issue that can simply be swept under the carpet for long.

Klopp’s decision to name Loris Karius in goal was significant for several reasons.

Primarily it hinted that he has finally lost patience with Simon Mignolet and is now ready to give his compatriot a chance in the second half of the season.

Presumably that is so he can assess whether the German stopper is good enough to be Liverpool’s number one in the long term.

Karius’ performance may have already will have already answered that question.

While Leroy Sane’s strike was a good one, it should not have made its way to the back of the net. A better goalkeeper would have made sure of that.

Recent transfer rumours have suggested that a new ‘keeper is top of Liverpool’s wish-list this summer and this game will have only strengthened that plan.

No longer any left-back dispute

 

One position where there will no longer be any autopsy is who starts at left-back.

Andy Robertson has made the role his own and his performance here confirmed as much.

The Scotland international was superb from start to finish, nullifying ex-Reds winger Raheem Sterling into obscurity while providing an attacking danger too.

To describe Robertson as immense would not be doing him justice. Quite why he has had to wait so long for a chance this season is beyond anyone’s guess.

Alberto Moreno may now be on his way back but the further he will get is the bench, Robertson has definitely made sure of that.