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Manchester City logo
Premier League
Oct 5, 2008 at 3pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

2-3

Garrido (41'), Ireland (19')
Zabaleta (67')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Kuyt (90'), Torres (55', 73')

On this day: Fernando Torres stars as Liverpool recover to beat Man City

Seven years ago today, Fernando Torres scored a brace as Liverpool came from two goals down to beat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The majority of Liverpool supporters do not look upon Fernando Torres too favourably, largely owing to his decision to swap Merseyside for Chelsea in a £50m deal in the winter of 2011.

Yet, what cannot be disputed is how good the Spaniard's goal record was during his three and a half seasons at Anfield.

Having arrived from boyhood side Atletico Madrid for a reported £20m in 2007, the long-haired centre-forward went on to find the net on 81 occasions in his 142 outings for the Reds, which leaves him 20th in the club's list of all-time goalscorers.

Two of those goals were scored seven years ago today as Rafael Benitez's side picked themselves up off the canvas to overcome Manchester City in a thrilling contest at the Etihad Stadium.

Come the half-time whistle, though, the three points looked to be beyond the reach of the away side. The hosts broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when Brazilian duo Jo and Robinho linked to create an opening for midfielder Stephen Ireland, who beat Pepe Reina with a volley.

Then, four minutes before the break City doubled their advantage when full-back Javier Garrido curled his shot beyond the reach of Reina's outstretched arm.

However, within 10 minutes of the restart, Torres had hauled Liverpool back into the contest. Steven Gerrard played in Alvaro Arbeloa down the right wing and when the defender fired in a low cross, Torres was on hand to divert the ball into Joe Hart's net.

The wheels then started to fall off for City, who were reduced to 10 men in the 67th minute by referee Peter Walton after Pablo Zabaleta had lunged in on Xabi Alonso. Now a man light, the Citizens then saw their lead evaporate 13 minutes from time as Torres darted towards the near post to head in Gerrard's corner.

Liverpool were now in the ascendancy and despite having to finish the game without a full compliment of players when Martin Skrtel limped off injured (all three substitutions had been made), they went on to snatch a stoppage-time winner.

Although he did not get his name on the scoresheet for a third time, Torres was once again heavily involved as his shot deflected into the path of Dirk Kuyt to sweep home his first Premier League goal since the previous November, much to the delight of the travelling faithful.

Speaking after the final whistle, victorious boss Benitez said: "The reaction we showed in the second half was fantastic. The character, the determination. The thing our players showed is that they always believe. They went out in the second half believing they could win. It was a result that came from their mentality."

Meanwhile, his opposite number Mark Hughes added: "We played really well in the first half and deserved our lead. The sending-off has changed the game and made it even more difficult for us. Overall, we have to take the positives out of it. In the first half, it was as good as we have played this season. It's a harsh lesson and we will have to learn from it."

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

Liverpool: Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio (Dossena); Mascherano (Keane), Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera (Benayoun); Torres

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Vincent Kompany of Manchester City lifts the Premier League trophy at the end of the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on May 11, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs341861067541360
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8Chelsea34149116559651
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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