London: Spectacular long-range strikes by midfielders Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho earned Liverpool a 2-1 victory over Manchester City yesterday that seriously compromised the Premier League champions' title defence.


Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho celebrates after scoring against Manchester City at Anfield yesterday. Pic/AFP 

After Henderson's fine 11th-minute opener had been cancelled out by Edin Dzeko at Anfield, Coutinho curled home in sumptuous fashion from 25 yards to enhance Liverpool's hopes of Champions League qualification.