Manchester City 1 Liverpool 4: First Thoughts

Manchester City 1 Aguero 44'
Liverpool 4 Mangala (OG) 7', Coutinho 23', Firmino 32', Skrtel 81'

• Pregame: Still an emotional charge to the first EPL weekend after the Paris attacks. For this matchup it's new boys facing old clubs with some critical injuries--and critical returns from injury--for both sides. It's not getting any easier to stomach Sterling in sky blue, and it would just be the perfect tonic if Roberto Firmino could announce his brilliance to the world in a striking role today. 
  
  
• Wires get crossed as an explanation to the missus of the impact Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Mansour has had on Manchester City devolves into a rumination on what shakes Hobby Lobby would carry, though, if they did suddenly decide to start selling them. It got to Mars Bar Mosaic Freeze topped with opaque gummy gems before we realized football just isn't for everyone and that's ok, too.
  
  
• Yaya looks spry and nice signs of the press from the--OHMYFOWLER CAN'T UNSEE KUN AGUERO'S HAIR NOTCH.
  
  
• ****GOAL**** Owen Goal 7' Aguero fully at fault as his hair notch understandably distracts Sagna from a full 50 yards away just as Coutinho goes to deek him on the left flank. Gotta love how Phil had immediate options ahead of him there, and its easy rewards. C'MON YOU REDS!!!
  
  
• City in a bit of a fog after that opener and Liverpool's thrumming Red press presents itself at every level of the pitch.
  
  
• What are we calling this hot sex between our front three? Lallinho? It's just constantly available and we like it. We like it a lot.
  
  
• Fizzy low cross from Da Broynuh and then Kolarov nutmegs through Lallana's press. So maybe this is Manchester City, after all.
  
  
• ****GOAL**** Coutinho 23' WHAT'S THAT CITY? WE CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE BROILING MAGMA EVISCERATING ALL SEMBLANCE OF PANTS DO YOU EVEN UNICORN
  
  
• You know it's your day when Martin Skrtel is dispossessing Kun Aguero in his own six with a sliding chest that he saves from going out before popping up and delivering a visionary outlet ball to spring a break.
  
  
• ****GOAL**** Firmino 32' AND THE MAN IN THE BACK SAID EVERYONE ATTACK AND IT TURNED INTO A BALLROOM BLITZ
  
  
• QUIT HITTING YOURSELF, CITY
  
  
• That Phil-Adam-Bob combination that just went inches wide provided a perfect segue for the birds and bees talk between fathers and sons the world over.
  
  
• This game is painted with enough Red to make Roose Bolton blush.
  
  
• ****GOAL**** Aguero 44' Yeah, we get it Kun, you are a freaking deadly assassin of sensational football, and if anyone is capable of pulling the Citizens back into this one it's you. Helluva strike.
• Halftime: This game is like if Manuel Pellegrini was researching a neighborhood he was considering moving to, and so he checked the crime rates in map view and BAM! Just wayyyyyyyyy more Red than he could have possibly anticipated. Our halftime team talk involves some Bell's Two Hearted Ale and a Virginia slice from Benny Pennello's. Yeah, obviously we got extra dipping sauces and the red pepper flakes--its Liverpool v. City not an audition for the lead role in The Machinist.
  
  
• Jesus, Yaya, we know your legs are Navas energetic as they once were, but hauled off at halftime is a tough hand to be Delph. And other substitution puns.
  
  
• Please don't let that missed chance at the hour mark from Firmino come back to bite us. At least Kun's coming out of the game. Replaced by precocious Nigerian lefty, Kelechi Ihatenachos.
  
  
• Worst. Sight. Ever. Phil pulls up lame and immediately clutches his hamstring. Ibe on. 
  
  
• Couple scares there, Lovren cramps up--would be a shite time to let one in. Just ride this one out, lads.
  
  
• If Kevin De Bruyne could just stop being so terrifyingly dangerous that'd be swell.
  
  
• Benteke takes a donkey dump all over that break. Coulda iced the game, that.
  
  
• ****GOAL**** Skrtel 81' GAME NEEDS ICING, YOU SAY? SCREAMING ICEMAN SKRTEL'S GOT YOU COVERED, LOVE, GIVE US SOME SUGAR
  
  
• What are the odds Klopp makes mention of City fans leaving early from this one? Kololol. Ball game.
  
  

We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, join the community on the Liverpool Offside, where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.