Kenneth Roper: My penguin-watching boat tour in Patagonia has just been cancelled; on the plus side I can now follow the game. C'mon the reds!

Every cloud Kenneth!

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola is frantically orchestrating things from the touchline now as Manchester City up the tempo. This is a good spell for the visitors, one they need to capitalise on.

Kevin de Bruyne is the latest to have a chance as Raheem Sterling's low cross is cleared to him, but his ball is headed away.

Looks like Liverpool are about to make a change...

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield

It has taken a couple of moments of sloppiness from Liverpool but Manchester City give their frustrated fans some encouragement at last by finally mounting some sort of threat.

It has been a match virtually devoid of clear cut opportunities, Wijnaldum's goal apart.

Image source, Reuters

Excellent, excellent ball by Yaya Toure wipes out the Liverpool defence and finds Raheem Sterling who volleys into the sidenetting. 

The missed chance is greeted by a few nervous ironic cheers from the home fans. A testing spell for the home side at the moment.

Manchester City have upped the tempo a bit now as David Silva scampers forward before trying to find the far corner with a shot but bends it just wide. 

Better from the visitors though.

BBC Merseyside Sport
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jimmy Case at Anfield

Without a doubt Sadio Mane will be a big miss for Liverpool next month.

He adds that bit of pace and does unexpected things with the ball. 

Mane is due to join Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Image source, Getty Images

Better from Manchester City as David Silva sweeps the ball forward to Sergio Aguero, who makes a bit of space for himself before shooting from 25 yards. It is right down Simon Mignolet's throat and an easy save. Still, it's a shot on target.

Image source, Reuters

Manchester City fans will have been hoping to have seen an improved display from their side in this half. Unfortunately it hasn't materialised. They are struggling to string a couple of passes together, let alone create something in the final third. Pep Guardiola looks bemused as he scratches his head on the touchline. 

Simmering tensions on the pitch. 

James Milner and Raheem Sterling have both fired off a few angry words at each other and now Pablo Zabaleta has a pop at Adam Lallana. Craig Pawson urges them both to keep cool.

Image source, Rex Features

Taimour: With Guardiola in charge.. City are nothing but Noisy Neighbours! 

Patrick Traile: Guardiola is nowhere near Mourinho, Conte, Klopp, Ancelotti, Wenger or Pellegrini. Even if City wins he's an average bloke.

He certainly has a lot of silverware in his trophy cabinet for an "average bloke"...

Image source, Reuters

Not a great start by Manchester City as Fernandinho's pass on the edge of the Liverpool area is snuffed out by Adam Lallana and the hosts break forward before Nathaniel Clyne skews an effort wide from the middle of the box. A decent chance, but he was under pressure from Aleksandar Kolarov.

Can Manchester City hit back in this half? The players are back out and the second half is under way.

As it stands, Liverpool move back to within six points of leaders Chelsea but, crucially, open up a four point gap on Manchester City.

Plenty of time left for the visitors to turn things around, but they need to be considerably better than they were in the first half. They didn't trouble Simon Mignolet once.

John Murray
5 live Sport reporter at Anfield

Liverpool have the upper hand at the interval. 

I have to be honest, this match has not really lived up to expectations and Manchester City have been disappointing, not able to get into their stride. Simon Mignolet, in the Liverpool goal, has not really had a save to make. 

You can feel how nervous this place is, because this is an important game. And at the moment the hosts are on top.

BBC Merseyside Sport
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jimmy Case at Anfield

It's been a little bit of a to-and-fro game. Both teams have taken the mantle at times, with a little bit of joy here and there but nothing outstanding.

Liverpool have defended in numbers, and the inclusion of Emre Can has bolstered the midfield. 

Liverpool have definitely had the clearer chances, and they deserve to go into the break in the lead, despite City having a lot more possession.

Image source, PA

Dave: Following the game online as I'm out with my fiance and her daughter. As they are Texan they don't understand my passion of Liverpool. Especially as I yelped at the goal in the restaurant.

We're with you, Dave. Keep on yelping.

The whistle goes for half-time and it's deservedly advantage Liverpool at the break.

Just the one minute of time added on. Pep Guardiola will be desperate to get his players into the dressing room and try to sort out what has been a lacklustre display.

Image source, PA

BBC Merseyside Sport
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jimmy Case at Anfield

Firmino had to play that pass immediately, Lallana was already into his run.

That's a great opportunity, but Firmino is having decision-making problems today.

Danger for Manchester City as Adam Lallana breaks away from the defence, but the visitors are saved by the linesman's flag. He was offside, but only just.