Liverpool faced Manchester City at Anfield 11 times during the nine-year period covered by the Premier League's investigation into financial misconduct and never lost a single match there. City, who have appealed the guilty verdict, were found to have deliberately disguised owner funding as sponsor income and misrepresented revenue and costs to the tune of more than £900m between 2009 and 2018.
That unbeaten home record against City in front of fans lasted 24 years in all competitions, dating back to a 2-1 defeat in May 2003 during Gerard Houllier's time in charge. It was only ended last season with a 2-1 Premier League defeat in February.
Early Encounters: 2009-2011
The first meeting came on November 21, 2009, ending 2-2. Martin Skrtel scored his first Liverpool goal, and Yossi Benayoun's quick riposte rescued a draw after Stephen Ireland had made it 2-1 for the visitors. Emmanuel Adebayor had equalised for City after Skrtel's opener.
On April 11, 2011, Liverpool thumped City 3-0. Andy Carroll scored his first two Liverpool goals, with Dirk Kuyt also on target. The win came despite City sitting 11 points ahead in fourth, with Liverpool's season having been rescued by Fenway Sports Group's takeover and Kenny Dalglish's appointment.
A 1-1 draw followed on November 27, 2011, with a deflected Charlie Adam strike going down as a Joleon Lescott own goal after Vincent Kompany's bullet header. Mario Balotelli saw red for two bookings.
Cup Clash and Title Race Drama
In the Carling Cup semi-final second leg on January 25, 2012, Craig Bellamy scored the winner to knock out his former club in a 2-2 draw. A Gerrard penalty and Bellamy's strike cancelled out efforts from Nigel de Jong and Edin Dzeko, sending Liverpool to the final where they beat Cardiff City on penalties.
The 2012-13 season brought another 2-2 draw on August 26, 2012. Skrtel headed Liverpool ahead, but a Martin Kelly mistake gifted Yaya Toure an equaliser. Luis Suarez's free kick restored the lead before Skrtel's shocking backpass let Carlos Tevez in to salvage a point.
On April 13, 2014, Liverpool won 3-2 in a game widely seen as a title decider. Raheem Sterling and Skrtel put the Reds 2-0 up, but David Silva and a Glen Johnson own goal levelled it before Philippe Coutinho's 78th-minute winner sparked wild celebrations. Liverpool ultimately lost the title to City, drawing 3-3 at Crystal Palace after a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea.
Klopp Era Dominance
On March 1, 2015, Jordan Henderson scored what many consider the finest goal of his career, a bending effort into Joe Hart's top corner, in a 2-1 win. Coutinho added a trademark long-range curler after Edin Dzeko had equalised.
A 3-0 victory on March 2, 2016 saw Adam Lallana, James Milner, and Roberto Firmino score, days after City had beaten Liverpool in the League Cup final. Milner, who had joined Liverpool on a free transfer after feeling betrayed by City's contract offer, celebrated with a lasso gesture.
On December 31, 2016, Georginio Wijnaldum's early header secured a 1-0 win, putting Liverpool second at the halfway point, six points behind Chelsea and four ahead of City.
Record-Breaking Wins
January 14, 2018 saw Liverpool end City's unbeaten Premier League run with a 4-3 victory. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah scored, with Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva, and Ilkay Gundogan replying.
The final meeting during the investigation period was a 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win on April 4, 2018. Salah, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Mane scored in a stunning first-half display, with Trent Alexander-Arnold impressing against Leroy Sane. Liverpool progressed after a 2-1 second-leg defeat and reached the final, where they lost to Real Madrid.
