EPL: Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-2 to stay on course for title

Liverpool's 3-2 win over Manchester City kept them in line to clinch the Premier League title. (AP/AFP Photos)

Liverpool marked the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster with a solemn minute's silence before their Premier League home game with Manchester City on Sunday. Players and fans stood with their heads bowed in memory of the 96 Liverpool supporters killed in a crush during an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989.

Raheem Sterling put Liverpool ahead early on as Manchester City's defence was found wanting.

Martin Skrtel doubled their lead as Liverpool went into the break with a 2-0 scoreline in their favour.

Liverpool had to play the closing minutes of stoppage-time a man down after Jordan Henderson (third from left) was sent off for a wild challenge on Samir Nasri.

David Silva and a Glen Johnson own goal brought City back into the game as they made it 2-2.

But Coutinho made it 3-2 in the 78th minute after seizing on a sliced clearance from City captain Vincent Kompany to beat England goalkeeper Joe Hart with a low shot from the edge of the box.

A 10th straight win kept Liverpool top of the standings and means four more victories in its last four matches will ensure the league trophy returns to Merseyside for the first time since 1990.

"My message to the players is to continue. We don't need to change. We played with no fear. You can see that, whether it is the big opponent like Manchester City or at Norwich City next week," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was in no doubt of the significance of the result. "It's emotional but we need to stay calm as we still have four big games to come. Nothing is ours yet," Gerrard said.