Liverpool finished 2016 second in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over third-placed Manchester City on Saturday that confirmed them as the best-placed challengers to Chelsea for the title.
A thundering header from Dutchman Georginio Wijnaldum gave Liverpool victory.
The result moved second-placed Liverpool four points ahead of Pep Guardiola’s team and kept them six points behind leaders Chelsea who beat Stoke City 4-2 earlier on Saturday.
The home side dominated the opening half after Wijnaldum leapt above City defender Aleksandar Kolarov to meet a pinpoint Adam Lallana cross and give Liverpool the advantage in the eight minute.
It was a goal of simplicity but quality and it highlighted the growing confidence of Lallana who was a creative threat down the left flank for much of the game.
Buoyed by the goal, Liverpool were first to the loose balls and looked sharper in their movement and crisper in their passing than a City team which was too often disjointed and lacking a clear purpose.
The return of Argentine Sergio Aguero to the City attack after a four-match suspension should have given the side a greater threat in attack but the striker was starved of service.
Belgian Kevin de Bruyne, who has been the influential figure in City’s best moments of late, was quiet and seemed a little uncertain of his role. Raheem Sterling, booed on his return to his former club, got little joy out of Liverpool left-back James Milner.
Although Roberto Firmino, Lallana and Emre Can, were active and positive, the Reds were unable to turn their dominance into more than a couple of half-chances with Firmino failing to collect a fine through ball from Milner and Can seeing a long-range effort fly just wide.
City came out stronger after the break but created few real chances and never found the fluency or rhythm that has characterised their better performances under Guardiola this season.
The nearest they came to drawing level was a David Silva attempt from the edge of the area which curled past the post.
The defeat meant City have not won a league game at Anfield since 2003 - their only win at the venue since the creation of the Premier League.
