Liverpool 3-0 Man City: Reds run riot as Sterling endures nightmare return - 5 things we learned

Goals from Lallana, Milner and Firmino secured a memorable win for Liverpool to avenge Sunday's Capital One Cup final defeat

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Liverpool dealt a hammer blow to Manchester City's title hopes as Raheem Sterling endured a miserable return to Anfield.
Liverpool brushed lacklustre Man City aside to complete a memorable Premier League double over Manuel Pellegrini's side.
The Reds were rampant as Adam Lallana, James Milner and Roberto Firmino scored to gain some degree of revenge for Sunday's Capital One Cup Final loss.
England winger Sterling was booed by the Liverpool fans and he was expertly shackled by Jon Flanagan before being substituted at half-time.
City were awful and are a distant 10 points behind leaders Leicester in fourth place with games running out.
Here are five things we learned.

1. Sterling's nightmare return

John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty

Dragged off: Sterling competes with Jon Flanagan

Liverpool fans will not forgive Raheem Sterling.
Sterling's every touch was booed on his return to Anfield and he endured a miserable evening before he was hauled off at half-time.

2. Fantastic Flanagan

Jon Flanagan should have started at Wembley.
While Alberto Moreno was a liability on Sunday, Flanagan was excellent as he replaced him to make his first Premier League start in 661 days.

3. Celebration for Milner

Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty

Delight: Milner celebrates his goal

James Milner enjoyed scoring against his previous club.
The midfielder could not resist celebrating his goal by waving his right arm in the air, as if he was twirling a lasso.

4. What was Pellegrini thinking?

Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith

Bad night: Pellegrini shows his frustrations

City boss Manuel Pellegrini got his tactics wrong.
His gamble in throwing forward after forward on backfired as his side were completely overrun in midfield in the second half.

5. Where is City's desire?

Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Game over: City are 10 points off the top

City lack the desire to win the title.
They knew Liverpool would be up for this game after Sunday.
Yet they failed to match them in any department as they meekly surrendered.