Manchester City vs. Liverpool: Winners and Losers from Premier League

Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho starred as Liverpool battered Manchester City 4-1 on Saturday in the Premier League.

Hosts Man City entered the weekend atop the table but quickly fell behind by three goals as Liverpool ran riot. Eliaquim Mangala put the ball into his own net to open the scoring in the seventh minute before Coutinho (23') and Firmino (32') increased the visitors' advantage.

Sergio Aguero netted a fine solo effort one minute before half-time to give City hope, but Liverpool restored their three-goal cushion with Martin Skrtel's emphatic 81st-minute strike.

The defeat dropped City to third place, two points behind new leaders Leicester City. Liverpool moved up to ninth, just one point behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth.

Here, Bleacher Report selects its winners and losers from the match.

Winner: Jurgen Klopp

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This was Liverpool's best performance under Jurgen Klopp.

From the opening whistle, the Reds pressed Manchester City relentlessly, forcing errors that led to scoring chances. Crucially, Liverpool took those chances efficiently in the first half to build an unassailable lead.

That sounds like a simple strategy, and in a way, it was. But that is not to demean Liverpool's display in any way. The Reds impressed mightily in disposing of the league leaders with apparent ease.

"This is some of the best football I've seen all season," tweeted James Robson of the Manchester Evening News. "Incredible display," added Jeff Kassouf of NBC Sports.

All the while, Klopp presented an animated figure the touchline, practically exuding enthusiasm as he shouted instructions, offered encouragement and hugged departing substitutes. Watching the German manage, it's impossible not to be drawn in by such passion, which has clearly overtaken his team.

"It feels perfect! The game was not perfect but it was very good," Klopp told BBC Match of the Day (h/t Tom Rostance of BBC Sport). "City couldn't start like they want but that is important for us. We played with big passion and that's the most important thing for us."

Klopp added: "The good news is that we can do better. At half-time I told the boys they were surprised to be winning 3-0, and we must do better in that situation. We have quality, we could have more goals but 4-1 is perfect. The boys can believe now that they are stronger than many people think." 

Since replacing Brendan Rodgers, Klopp has led Liverpool to away victories over Chelsea (3-1) and now City (4-1). It's hard not to feel excited about what the German is doing at Anfield.

A title challenge might be unrealistic this season, but imagine what Klopp can do with next term after a summer in the transfer market.

"This isn't even a fluke. Jurgen Klopp has made us the real deal," tweeted Jack Watson of Squawka.

Loser: Manchester City's Defensive Cover

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In the seventh minute, City received a glimpse of what was to come on a long day at the office. Bacary Sagna lost possession to Philippe Coutinho near the touchline, allowing the Liverpool man a free run toward the box.

Coutinho passed to Roberto Firmino, who sent a cut-back straight to Eliaquim Mangala. The City defender should have been able to clear but instead put the ball into his own net for the opening goal.

That was only the beginning. Rather than an aberration, the sequence proved to be an archetype. Coutinho and Firmino continued to combine to devastating effect throughout their time on the pitch, and City's defense simply couldn't cope.

With the influential Vincent Kompany out, centre-backs Mangala and Martin Demichelis couldn't handle Liverpool's razor-sharp attacks.

The result was a deserved beating and a dubious stat, as related by STATS Football: The last time City conceded three goals in the first half of a home match was in 2003, against Arsenal.

Winner: Roberto Firmino

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Playing at centre-forward, rather than out wide, Roberto Firmino could not be contained. The Brazilian created Liverpool's first two goals, setting up Philippe Coutinho with a brilliant pass for the second, and scored one of his own late in the first half.

His performance was so impressive that one has to wonder why Brendan Rodgers insisted on playing his big-money summer signing on the wing.

"Roberto Firmino's Liverpool career started the day Klopp was appointed as coach," tweeted Brazil blogger BrazilStats. "With all due respect to the smarty who wasted him wide."

Winner: Philippe Coutinho

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Philippe Coutinho enjoyed an excellent match as well, scoring Liverpool's second goal and combining seamlessly—almost telepathically—with Roberto Firmino throughout the pair's time on the pitch together.

And yet the Brazilian playmaker's day ended in disappointment. In the 67th minute, Coutinho limped out of the match with an apparent hamstring problem.

Liverpool will hope the issue is not too serious. Any time Coutinho misses will be damaging to the Reds' attack, which was borderline unstoppable on Saturday evening.

Loser: Yaya Toure

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City captain Yaya Toure had a poor match. As previously noted, the hosts defense had a torrid time trying to contain Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. But they had little help.

Toure, playing alongside Fernando in central midfield for the first 45 minutes, gave his defense no cover. It was hardly surprising to see the Ivorian withdrawn at half-time for Fernandinho.

Winner: Sergio Aguero

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Sergio Aguero returned to City's starting lineup after missing seven games with a hamstring injury. The Argentina international marked the occasion with an excellent individual goal in the 44th minute.

Following a giveaway by Martin Skrtel in midfield, Aguero received a pass and powered toward the box before curling an unstoppable shot past Simon Mignolet, who had no chance.

The goal showcased some of Aguero's best attributes—speed, power and brilliant finishing—and it turned out to be City's only highlight on a day to forget.