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The foolish labelled it a myth.

They doubted the power of Anfield. They won't do it again after Manchester City were brought to their knees amid the cauldron on an unforgettable night.

Liverpool have one foot in the semi-finals of the Champions League after humbling the Premier League champions elect and writing a new glorious chapter in the club's illustrious European history.

Here was fresh proof of Anfield's enduring ability to inspire those in red to remarkable heights and intimidate even the most star-studded opponents in equal measure.

City owner Sheikh Mansour can afford most things but he can't buy passion like this.

At the final whistle a beaming Jurgen Klopp strode on to the field to embrace his heroes and pay homage to those in the stands who had provided the exhilarating soundtrack to such a breathtaking triumph.

Klopp's pre-match clarion call for his players to be brave and for supporters to crank up the decibel levels was answered emphatically.

It was a frenzied bearpit and to a man Liverpool excelled. This was arguably the most complete performance of the German's reign.

A shell-shocked City were outplayed, outfought and out-thought as Klopp put one over Pep Guardiola once again with a tactical masterclass.

The Reds showcased their attacking brilliance during a stunning first-half burst when goals from Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane blew City away.

But arguably even more impressive was the discipline and the organisation shown to weather the second-half storm when the visitors rallied.

Pep Guardiola's expensively assembled frontline were nullified as Liverpool's backline excelled. City failed to muster a single shot on target.

Fearless teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold rose to the occasion on the biggest night of his young career as he kept the dangerous Leroy Sane quiet. The boy from West Derby could hold his head high.

The clean sheet was beyond Liverpool's wildest dreams ahead of next Tuesday's second leg.

If anyone in Europe can come back from this sort of deficit it's Manchester City but if Liverpool score at the Etihad, City will need five and that's an unbelievable position for the Reds to find themselves in.

The only downside for Klopp was the sight of Salah limping off and captain Jordan Henderson picking up a late booking which will rule him out of the second leg.

The atmosphere was electric long before kick-off with the PA system drowned out by the deafening chants of 'Allez, Allez, Allez'.

'Liverpool FC European Royalty', declared one banner on the Kop. This was the Reds back where they belong and the air was thick with anticipation.

After a spine-tingling rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' it was down to business.

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City bossed possession during a predictably frenetic opening spell but Liverpool kept their cool. Guardiola tried to target Alexander-Arnold with Sane flying at him but the 19-year-old kept winning that battle.

'Just like United, you live in the past', crowed the away end but they were soon silenced as the Reds struck with their first meaningful attack on 12 minutes.

It was a classic counter with James Milner's sweeping pass releasing Salah down the right. He picked out the run of Roberto Firmino, who cut inside past Nicolas Otamendi before forcing a sprawling save from Ederson.

The rebound dropped to Kyle Walker but Firmino picked his pocket and teed up Salah, who shifted it on to his left boot and hammered home his 38th goal of the season.

City could have quickly restored parity but Sane ignored decent options either side of him and dragged wastefully wide.

Guardiola's men were clearly rattled with Ederson hoofing it out of play under pressure from the tireless Firmino.

Energised by the breakthrough, Liverpool were hungrier, smarter and quicker in all departments. Henderson did the dirty work as he patrolled in front of the back four.

Klopp's decision to leave out Gini Wijnaldum was vindicated as the outstanding Milner stamped his authority in midfield against his former club and Oxlade-Chamberlain drove forward with real intent and caused City a stack of problems.

(Image: Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

They combined for the second goal with Milner finding Oxlade-Chamberlain 30 yards out. He shifted the ball out in front of him and unleashed an unstoppable piledriver past the despairing dive of Ederson.

Anfield erupted. The roar was replicated when Milner dashed back to dispossess David Silva soon after.

Liverpool were dominant and poured forward in search of greater reward.

Alexander-Arnold whipped in a beauty which Otamendi unconvincingly cleared before Salah's mazy dribble bewitched Aymeric Laporte and Kevin De Bruyne.

Just past the half hour mark it was 3-0. Salah turned provider with an inviting cross to the far post which Mane gleefully nodded in.

The Kop were in dreamland. Andy Robertson was like a charging bull as he embarked on a 60-yard dash which ended with Fernandinho blocking his shot. That show of desire was replicated across the field.

The interval gave City the chance to regroup and they came out swinging.

Liverpool found themselves pinned back early in the second half with Klopp's assistant Zeljko Buvac gesturing wildly on the touchline for them to push up and not drop so deep.

The Reds weren't helped by the worrying sight of Salah going off with Wijnaldum replacing him as Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to the right.

The pressure was cranked up but the centre-back axis of Virgil Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren remained rock solid.

Van Dijk showed why Liverpool broke the bank to buy him, while Lovren delivered the perfect riposte to his critics.

Alexander-Arnold showed maturity beyond his years as he repeatedly won duels with Sane down the flank. The teenager was also alert to hack De Bruyne's cross to safety before Silva could convert.

Ilkay Gundogan drilled wide before making way for Raheem Sterling, whose entrance was greeted with a cacophony of boos.

(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

This was another miserable Anfield return for his growing collection. When he did finally get away from Robertson he scuffed wide from an offside position – much to the delight of the baying Kop.

Klopp introduced Dominic Solanke for the tiring Firmino as he sought an injection of energy for the final quarter.

Most of the young striker's best work was done inside his own half. It was all hands to the pumps as Liverpool fought to repel City's advances. The wall of noise ensured that weary limbs kept fighting.

Henderson blocked Fernanindho's strike and Lovren also put his body on the line.

Liverpool kept digging deep. The concentration and focus was immaculate. When De Bruyne hacked down Mane it laid bare City's frustration.

This was the Reds' first Champions League quarter-final for nine years. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

City were humbled. Liverpool's love affair with the European Cup has been well and truly rekindled. The road that leads to Kiev is opening up.

MATCH FACTS

Liverpool: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson, Henderson, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain (Moreno 85), Mane, Salah (Wijnaldum 52), Firmino (Solanke 71).

Not used: Mignolet, Clyne, Ings, Masterson.

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Kompany (C), Otamendi, Laporte, Fernandinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan (Sterling 57), Sane, Jesus.

Not used: Bravo, Danilo, Stones, Delph, Bernardo, Zinchenko

Referee: Felix Brych

Goals: Salah 12, Oxlade-Chamberlain 20, Mane 31.

Bookings: Otamendi, Jesus, De Bruyne, Henderson, Sterling.

Man of the match: Trent Alexander-Arnold. Snuffed out the threat of Leroy Sane and excelled throughout