Champions League LIVE: Man City vs Copenhagen & Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig score, commentary & updates - Live

When 18-year-old local lad Jacob Wright replaced Erling Haaland three minutes from time, all three outfield players who retained their place from the Manchester United game had been subbed. Rodri's evening came to an end at half-time.

Of the players omitted, only John Stones came on, taking the captaincy from Ruben Dias.

That in itself says everything about the importance Pep Guardiola is placing on the Liverpool game.

With a home encounter with the other Premier League title challenger Arsenal to come on 31 March, this month is likely to be pivotal in City's quest to become the first club to win the English league title four seasons in a row.

Clearly, Guardiola will need more than 11 players for the task, so he will hope Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes' badly dislocated finger does not force him to spend any time on the sidelines.

He will also be keenly awaiting the Champions League quarter-final draw on 15 March, when City will discover the route they must take if they are to reach the final at Wembley.

But now, all eyes are on Anfield. It promises to be a cracker.