Liverpool's return to the summit of the Premier League has lasted barely 24 hours after Manchester City secured a 3-0 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday evening.
The Seagulls had defended admirably to keep Pep Guardiola's side at bay in the opening 45 minutes, but a deflected goal from Riyad Mahrez early in the second half, followed by a speculative Phil Foden strike - also deflected - helped to give the Sky Blues all three points and return them to the top of the table. A late third from Bernardo Silva wrapped up what was eventually a routine home win.
The win has restored City's one point advantage over Jurgen Klopp's side heading into the weekend round of fixtures and the current champions will have the opportunity to extend their lead to four points when they host relegation-threatened Watford at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.
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Liverpool will then get their opportunity to strike back when neighbours Everton visit Anfield for the Merseyside derby on Sunday. Both sides have six Premier League fixtures remaining in a titanic battle that looks like it will run until the final game of the season.
The Reds' emphatic 4-0 victory against Manchester United on Tuesday evening has given the Anfield club an advantage over the rivals in terms of goal difference. The Merseyside club currently enjoys a +61 goal difference, with City seven goals behind on +54 after their 3-0 win against Graham Potter's side.
But both City and Liverpool will resume their Champions League dreams next week in the semi-finals of the competition. The Cityzens will face Real Madrid at home on Tuesday, before Liverpool face off against Villarreal 24 hours later.
In what has been a remarkable season, which saw Klopp's side 14 points behind their rivals at one stage, the destiny of both the Premier League and the Champions league could still yet be decided between Liverpool and Manchester in the space of seven days, should both sides reach the final Europe's elite knockout competition in Paris on May 28.
