John Murray
5 live Sport reporter at Anfield

That was only the second goal Georginio Wijnaldum's scored for Liverpool. The Reds have been displaying, unsurprisingly, an exhibition of pressing football.

There's a long time to go in this match and Manchester City are not in panic mode yet. They are passing it about, patiently trying to build an opening. Well, they were until Alexander Kolarov decided to blast the ball forward and out of play. I think he was trying to find Raheem Sterling. Instead he found a couple of fans behind the goal.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield

What a header from Gini Wijnaldum. Manchester City had actually started in very composed fashion but that has changed the mood completely inside Anfield.

Both managers now out in the technical area and Pep Guardiola is the one with the more immediate concerns.

Image source, Reuters

That was far too easy for Liverpool. Manchester City really need to tighten up their defending or they are in real danger of being on the end of a thumping. 

No real response from the visitors as yet, with much of the play happening in the middle of the pitch.

John Murray
5 live Sport reporter at Anfield

Liverpool lead! A header, such a powerful header, from Georginio Wijnaldum from Adam Lallana's cross from the left. Claudio Bravo lept but couldn't get anywhere near it. 

The ball was planted on Wijnaldum's head and Liverpool have scored from their first really meaningful attack.

That goal, by the way, has robbed Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo the chance to emulate Perry Suckling, who was the last City keeper to keep a clean sheet at Anfield when he kept the hosts quiet back in 1986. That's a stat for you...

BBC Merseyside Sport
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jimmy Case at Anfield

It's against the run of play, but what a fantastic cross from Lallana.

If you look back through the last few matches, Wijnaldum has deserved that goal, he makes some tremendous runs into the box and that is a powerful header.

Image source, Reuters

An error from James Milner puts Ragnar Klavan under pressure to clear as Sergio Aguero charges in on him. Klavan ends up fouling the City striker and collects the first booking as a result.

Image source, AP

John Murray
5 live Sport reporter at Anfield

Manchester City have had the better of it so far. The atmosphere is raucous and the home fans are already booing the former Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling. 

Before kick-off we had a handshake between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp - Klopp almost fell over and he tried to step up to Pep from his dugout!

Image source, Getty Images

Bernie Austin: Should be a cracker! Expect rocket shots  

Shaun: Expecting this one to be a proper dazzler #AttemptedFireworkPun

These puns are straying into territory even I didn't dare enter.

Keep them coming!

Image source, Reuters

A few boos as ex-Liverpool player Raheem Sterling touches the ball for the first time. He drives at James Milner, but the full-back has the measure of his former team-mate and clears the danger.

An early chance for Manchester City as they win a free-kick some 30 yards from goal. Aleksandar Kolarov fancies it, but drives the ball into the Liverpool wall. 

BBC Merseyside Sport
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jimmy Case at Anfield

This match is so, so important in terms of status and the value of the three points. 

If you can beat those teams who are close to you in the league, you pull away from them with points and it's great for your mindset as well.

Manchester City get the final Premier League game of 2016 up and running.

Image source, .

We are absolutely setting this up for a dull goalless draw, aren't we?

Vincent Kompany is in the stands and posing for photos with delighted Manchester City fans as the two teams come out onto the pitch. 

Three minutes until kick off.

Nick Hughes: Liverpool and Manchester City are the highest league scorers, expecting firework puns etc... it'll be 0-0 now  

It took me just four minutes to work a fireworks pun onto this page. No messing about.

Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger at Stamford Bridge for 5 live Sport

Image source, PA

The big players need to turn up. The forwards on show are better than the defenders, so I expect it to be a fantastic game. 

Neither team will sit back, as neither coach is cagey. I can't see this being anything other than a really exciting, open game.

The ante has been upped on these two teams to end the year with victory after Chelsea won again - beating Stoke 4-2 - to move nine points clear at the top of the table. 

Meanwhile, Manchester United beat Middlesbrough 2-1 and are now just three points behind Manchester City. 

Check out all the results from today's Premier League action here.