Liverpool's Premier League title destiny is back out of their hands with two games of the season remaining after Manchester City's 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.
Fans of both the Reds and City alike were sweating through the action on another nervy afternoon in the most intense title race in the competition's history.
Jurgen Klopp's side had returned to top spot on Friday night when they thrashed already-relegated Huddersfield Town at Anfield thanks to goals from Naby Keita, Sadio Mane (2) and Mohamed Salah (2) but their spell at the summit lasted less than 48 hours.
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Although Pep Guardiola's side were far less convincing, a 63rd minute strike from their all-time leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero was enough to secure them a 12 consecutive Premier League win.
A 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out had all but secured Burnley's top flight status for another season and Liverpool supporters were hoping for a big favour from the Clarets' boyhood Red manager Sean Dyche.
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Despite the hosts battled hard throughout, City typically dominated possession and had strong shouts for a penalty when Ashley Barnes appeared to handle the ball in the area.
Aguero's shot for the ball was hacked clear by Matthew Lowton but goal-line technology showed that the full ball had just about gone in, by a mere 29 millimetres.
After the game, Guardiola said: "I’m delighted for the way we played. We came to the most typical English stadium and didn’t concede one corner.
"Over these two seasons nobody has given us anything. We have won it.
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"Since our defeat against Tottenham our reaction has been outstanding, overwhelming.
“Maybe a team will make 100 points one season again, but to then the next one to make 92, 95, maybe 98. I don’t think this will happen again.”
Burnley manager Dyche said: "I thought we had a real go. Against these top sides we have to make it awkward, make it like a cup tie. We kept at it, stuck at it and you end up getting close to getting something from the game.
"It’s a compliment that I saw Pep Guardiola with my own eyes and ears screaming ‘Get it in the corner.'
“It is refreshing to know you can’t always win with beauty. And they’ve done that. They’ve put it in the corner, finished with four centre-halves, come off the pitch as slow as they can. And I’ve no problem with that.”
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Liverpool must now play their Champions League semi-final legs against Barcelona either side of their trip to Newcastle United next Saturday night before finishing their Premier League campaign at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers while City, who are out of Europe, host Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City a week on Monday before finishing at Brighton & Hove Albion.
City have 92 points from 36 games with a goal difference of 68 while Liverpool have 91 points from 36 games with a goal difference of 64.
