‘Beautiful goals’ for Pellegrini as Henderson and Coutinho hand Liverpool victory over Manchester City

Two stunning strikes either side of an Edin Dzeko equaliser led Liverpool to a hard-fought victory that seriously dents Manchester CIty's title challenge.

Philippe Coutinho, centre, celebrates his winning goal with Martin Skrtel, left, and Dejan Lovren, right. Phil Noble / Reuters

A defiant Manuel Pellegrini insisted that Manchester City will fight to the end to retain their Premier League title after they were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool.

The loss leaves City five points behind leaders Chelsea, who now have a game in hand and Pellegrini said: “We never give up on the title. In football, you never know what will happen.”

Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho scored long-range goals for Liverpool, and Pellegrini conceded: “They deserved to win. They scored two beautiful goals.”

The City manager was critical of his side for coughing up possession cheaply, explaining: “In the first half, we lost too many balls.”

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City’s goal came from Edin Dzeko, following a lovely pass from Sergio Aguero, and Pellegrini was adamant he was correct to play 4-4-2, the formation he also used in Tuesday’s defeat to Barcelona. “Playing two up front at Anfield was the best decision,” he said.

Aguero also struck the post with a half-volley and both he and David Silva spurned second-half chances but Dzeko’s goal was City’s sole shot on target.

Liverpool led with a 20-yard curler from captain Henderson and had two Adam Lallana goals disallowed before Coutinho’s 76th-minute, 25-yard decider. “To beat Joe Hart at that angle and power was a phenomenal shot,” said manager Brendan Rodgers.

“He is a joy to work with and a joy to watch. He is a kid who has so much ahead of him in the game. He is 22 years of age. People forget he came to us at 19.”

Liverpool kicked off less than 56 hours after returning to England following Thursday’s loss to Besiktas and Rodgers praised his team for their unstinting efforts.

“You have to take your hat off to them,” he said. “We thoroughly deserved the victory. There was great quality in our football. I was very pleased.”

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