Most things in life disappoint; this game won’t; but it is still 2016... Evening all!

Can finds Firmino down the left and he crosses. Meanwhile, De Bruyne has forgotten that his new role means he has to do some chasing back so allows Clyne to run off him and have a sight of goal. He's saved by some defender's control.

De Bruyne appears to be on the left now, presumably with Silva in the middle. It seems that Guardiola, as we all, do, has listened to Glenn Hoddle.

We go again.

Excellent from Liverpool, who haven't played that well but have played very well for the purpose of beating City. City have been useless.

Half-time: Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City

Sterling goes at Milner, who easily shrugs him off, and there's some minor aggravation as Sterling appears to poke a leg once grounded. Merrily do the crowd chortle into their Bovrils.

There shall be one added minute.

Oh man. Lallana waits for Toure to take possession and nails him with a press, like a yout mugging a fogey. Firmino then charges onto the loose ball and plays Lallana in, but he was just offside. I'm not sure Firmino could've got rid any sooner, nor Lallana held his run any longer.

Here come City, Firmino finding De Bruyne who runs at Klavan - and Klavan can't touch him, what with being on a yellow. He accelerate across him and towards goal, and there's Silva on his outside! But he ignores him, swivelling into a tame shot instead. That was a major oversight - his pal would've been in.

I'm sorry, did I break your concentration?

Silva pops up at inside-right, exactly where you need him to be, and lifts a cross-pass to Kolarov, inside the box. He's got plenty of time to watch the ball onto his laces, but drags his shot so far wide is doesn't actually go out of play, even for a throw.

City have improved these last few minutes, spending a bit of time in the Liverpool half. it's not much, but it's something, even though they eventually run out of patience and go long, Milner heading clear.

Bit of City - not much - but Toure finding Silva inside the Liverpool half for perhaps the first time, and as a consequence the ball eventually finds its way to Sterling on the opposite flank. He cold go at Milner but instead opts to shift it and cross, a deflection making it an easy catch, even for Mignolet, who spins it on his nose first.

City haven't even been in a threatening position, never mind threatened to score. It is remarkable how abject they've been.

City win the ball in centrefield and Fernandinho finds Toure who finds De Bruyne - and immediately, he is flattened, fairly, by Klavan. Great tackle, and perfect encapsulation of the game thus far.

Er, or not.

What kind of game did Guardiola think this was going to be? Oh my - Mignolet lobs the ball over Aguero and clears. It's probably a plan to tempt Bravo.

Liverpool are lengthening stride and opening their shoulders now, Lallana finding space in centrefield to feed Can. He's allowed plenty of space to advance, so does, before curling Ronnie Whelan-style, not too far wide.

Which isn't to criticise Liverpool - they're doing a great job. And what a pass this is from Milner, coming inside and caressing a hook over Zabaleta and Stones into the path of Firmino; control it well and he's in! But his touch is heavy, and the ball runs away.

I know I said this couldn't fail to be a good game, but, amazingly, it turns out that I was wrong and it can be. Liverpool are doing a number on City at the moment, who look absolutely clueless.

Liverpol win a free-kick on the left, maybe ten yards in from the line and 40 from goal. So Milner curls it in towards Lovren, the ball loops up, and Bravo has all the time in the world to collect it, so naturally chooses to punch, catching a few fibres as skewing it sideways. On the other hand, he's well good at keep-uppy.