Roberto Firmino moved to tears by Liverpool’s reception at Anfield

Liverpool blew away Manchester City with three goals in the first 31 minutes Wednesday to secure a 3-0 first-leg win at a rocking Anfield and close in on a first Champions League semifinal in a decade.

“It’s pretty clear it’s still going to be very hard, but we just need to be well prepared”.

“We apologise unreservedly to (manager) Pep Guardiola, his players, staff and officials caught up in the incident”, Liverpool said in a statement.

His blunt answer when asked if he agreed with the public, ‘I don’t (agree).’ Will bring a smile to Reds fans.

“Ah, no”, Grant replied, “It’s just that I’ve heard you all talking so much about Anfield and I thought he was the goalscorer who won their matches for them”.

The Mirror quoted him saying, “I hope not… he said to me immediately after the game: “all fine, all good”, said Klopp. We defended really good.

City were well aware of the cauldron they were facing from the start, as their team bus was battered by bottles and cans on their arrival at Anfield.

Liverpool’s night was slightly marred when Salah limped off with an injury early in the second half.

As important as Liverpool’s attacking brilliance in the first half was the team’s defensive resilience in the second half.

The result leaves Pep Guardiola’s men staring at a likely exit, despite being considered among the favourites to lift the trophy in Kiev.

At least one window was smashed on the journey through streets filled with thousands of fans, a number throwing flares, and a replacement vehicle had to be found the trip home after the 3-0 first-leg loss. I didn’t expect that a club as prestigious as Liverpool would do these kinds of things. “Hopefully it doesn’t happen again”. “He’s a huge value for the team but to top goal scoring charts is remarkable”.

“But we have 90 minutes all of us – Sevilla, Juventus, Roma and us”. James Milner and Jordan Henderson set the tempo with their ferocious tackles and passage of play during the first half.

City failed to manage a shot on target but Guardiola did not think the overall performance was bad.

Captain Vincent Kompany said it “had no effect on us” and that it was something they have experienced before, while midfielder Kevin de Bruyne said there was “nothing wrong with it”.