Premier League: Liverpool v Manchester City – in pictures

Just look at this ... As the Liverpool team bus makes it way through the streets near Anfield before kick-off, Liverpool fans erupt with passion. They know today's match represents an extraordinary chance for them to take charge of the title race and, with just four matches remaining after this, they could go on to reclaim the top flight crown for the first time in 24 years Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Today's match also marks the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. There are plenty of floral tributes outside the ground ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Before the game City legends Tony Book, Joe Corrigan and Mike Summerbee present flowers to Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The fans observe a minute's silence before kick-off Photograph: Tom Jenkins

'Make us dream', the home fans implore ... And now for the action Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Luis Suarez picks up a booking from referee Mark Clattenburg early on for a foul on Martin Dimichelis Photograph: Tom Jenkins

In only the sixth minute, Liverpool's Raheem Sterling scores the opening goal of the game – and what a goal it is. He collects Luis Suarez's adroit pass, turns Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart one way then the other, and then slots the ball into the bottom corner Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Ecstasy at Anfield Photograph: Tom Jenkins

It's nothing more than the Reds deserve Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Liverpool have completely bossed the opening 20 minutes of this fixture and have had 63% of possession thus far. Here, Suarez collects a high ball. City look lost; they simply can't deal with Liverpool's pace Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Steven Gerrard is guilty of a glaring miss. His unmarked header in the box was turned away by Joe Hart ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Gerrard swings over the resulting corner and it's met by Martin Skrtel at the near post, whose header glides into the net to double Liverpool's lead Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Liverpool's fans are joyous and, with Yaya Toure having gone off injured for the visitors, it's hard to see any way back for City Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Steven Gerrard tries to cut City open, but the tide is turning and Liverpool survive two goal-line scares as well as a penalty appeal before the break Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Wonder what Liverpool's owner John Henry thinks of all this at half-time? Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The second half is the opposite of the first, with City all over Liverpool. David Silva duly pulls a goal back from close range in the 57th minute Photograph: Tom Jenkins

What a second half City are having! Silva fires in a low cross which deflects off Johnson and beats Mignolet at his near post. Suddenly it's 2-2 and City's fans are in raptures Photograph: Tom Jenkins

For all City's dominance this half it's Liverpool who seize the lead once more. Philippe Coutinho scores with a pin-point shot in the 78th minute after Kompany's wayward clearance fell to him in the box Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Coutinho races off in celebration Photograph: Tom Jenkins

... and is caught by his delighted captain, Steven Gerrard Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Brendan Rodgers issues orders to Victor Moses, who has come on as a late substitute, in injury time Photograph: Tom Jenkins

Jordon Henderson is rightly sent off in injury time for a bad tackle on Samir Nasri ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins

... but Brendan Rodgers' side cling on to record an oh so precious win. The team huddle together at the final whistle and Gerrard is clearly overcome with emotion. Photograph: Tom Jenkins

The win lifts Liverpool five points clear of Chelsea and seven clear of City in the title race. A huge result and one which clearly pains David Silva. Final score: 3-2 Photograph: Tom Jenkins