Liverpool took the advantage in their all-English Champions League quarter-final as Manchester City were blown away in 45 minutes in a raucous 3-0 Anfield defeat.
Jurgen Klopp's side may not have delivered a fatal blow but first-half goals from Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane provided a healthy advantage heading into next week's second leg at the Etihad Stadium.
Five punters backed Liverpool for a 3-0 half-time lead at 66/1 with a largest stake of £20 making it a great night for one person in particular.
Sky Bet's biggest priced winning pre-match RequestABet was 66/1 and comprised of Mane and Salah scoring with Nicolas Otamendi and Jordan Henderson being carded.
Sky Bet's odds for the second leg
Mikey Mumford of the online bookmaker writes: "We have Manchester City priced at 9/2 to overturn that three-goal deficit and progress from the tie, while Liverpool to advance to the semi-finals is considered a 1/8 chance. City are 8/15 for the victory in 90 minutes next Tuesday and Liverpool are a shade over 4/1 to win both legs in regulation time. In our outright book, City are out to 16/1 yet were available at 3/1 to win the Champions League before kick-off. Liverpool have shortened into 11/2 from 14/1. It's a close run thing at the head of our outright odds with Barcelona (9/4) and Real Madrid (5/2) vying for favouritism."
Anfield erupts! 🔴⚪️
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 4, 2018
Mo Salah nets in front of the Kop and it's first blood to Liverpool! 👊 pic.twitter.com/0oIczhhgE2
Liverpool, who beat City 4-3 in the Premier League at Anfield, were ahead after 12 minutes when James Milner played a sumptuous ball down the touchline and even though there was a hint of offside as Salah broke on the halfway line City were powerless to prevent what happened next.
The Egypt international played in Roberto Firmino and although Ederson blocked his initial shot the loose ball fell to Salah who had the presence of mind to wait just long enough to see where the defenders were scrambling to before firing home his 38th goal of the season from close range.
Leroy Sane scuffed a shot wide when he had options either side of him but surprisingly that was City's best chance of the half.
Klopp's side were far more clinical and when Firmino appeared to be fouled by Vincent Kompany, referee Felix Brych played on and Milner swept ball inside to Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Advancing a few steps the midfielder repeated his feat of January against City, albeit with a much fiercer effort from 20 yards which Ederson barely saw never mind getting near.
WHAT. A. HIT! 🚀
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 4, 2018
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with an absolute screamer!
Liverpool 2-0 Man City 😮 pic.twitter.com/W21fO3v9lc
City were 3-0 down when Mane headed in Salah's inswinging far-post cross.
The tide turned after the break with City enjoying the sort of dominance to which they are accustomed but they could not carve out a decent chance with David Silva's uncharacteristic poor control in the six-yard box indicative of the pressure they were under.
Salah was forced off with an apparent groin injury early in the second half to give Liverpool some concern after the win.
Henderson's booking for a foul on former Reds winger Raheem Sterling rules him out next week but it could not spoil another special night under the lights.
Post-match reaction
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told BT Sport: "They didn't have a lot of chances to be honest. We defended it well but we didn't play football anymore (in the second half). But it's only half-time. So 3-0 but nothing else.
"The first half was brilliant. That's how football should be. We knew about the quality of Manchester City but we knew our qualities. All the goals were fantastic.
"But like I say, only half-time and I only ask to play more football."
On the injury to Salah, Klopp said: "He said to me immediately after the game 'all fine, all good' but I hope that's the case. We have to wait for that."
When asked about Saturday lunchtime's Merseyside derby, Klopp said: "We play on Saturday at 12:30 and if you want to see games like this then the Premier League have to think about it.
"It will be really tough. Everton are more happy about the game than we are and that's not fair.
"Being in an international competition should not cause you problems. It should be something good.
"It should not cause you problems and now we have a problem to find players for Saturday and everybody is telling us it is the most important game of the year, and that's quite difficult at the moment.
"I'm not over the moon at the moment, I'm really angry at a few people who make decisions in this league."
City boss Pep Guardiola said in his press conference: "We showed up in the beginning of the game, we were there.
"We arrived with a huge personality, except 10-15 minutes in the first half when we lost a bit of control. Until 2-0 we were there.
"The second time they arrived they scored a fantastic goal from Chamberlain and then it is always tough."
