Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City: Premier League - as it happened

Full time: Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City

Not quite the end-to-end thriller we anticipated, but try telling Liverpool fans that tonight has been a disappointment. The end 2016 six points behind Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title, while Manchester city are 10 adrift of Antonio Conte's men. They are now in a scrap for a top four place, while the Reds can dream of a tilt for the title in the New Year.

Well that is all we have time for on this live text. We'll be back on New Year's Day with Watford vs Tottenham and Arsenal vs Crystal Palace. But until then a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Mane off and Lucas on for Liverpool. A 'what we have, we hold' , kind of substitution if there ever was one. The last we see of the Brazilian in a Reds shirt? That remains to be seen.

Liverpool trying to kill off City here but Clyne can't control Can's pass. Navas finally on for City, replacing Zabaleta. Less than five minutes remaining.

Jesus Navas looks like being the final throw of the dice for Man City, who have offered very little despite dominating possession in the second half.

Not a game full of quality, this. Liverpool are sitting in and are happy to allow City to dominate possession while the visitors are dominating possession but haven't the guile to open up their opponents. A feeling of the 'unstoppable force against the immovable object' about this game.

Very little in this game now, one which has gone from being build up as a real cracker but he developed into a bit of a tactical joust between two of Europe's heavyweight managers. Who can outwit the other in the final 20 minutes?

Anfield turning up the noise on New Year's Eve.

Divock Origi on for captain Jordan Henderson. Jurgen Klopp beckons to the crowd to increase the noise. Liverpool on the back-foot somewhat amid a period of City pressure.

City are much improved since the break and they're getting closer to restoring parity. Aleksandar Kolarov is the latest man to test Mignolet, taking De Bruyne's corner on the volley from 30 yards which the Liverpool 'keeper easily saves.

Better from David Silva. He runs at the Liverpool defence and as he approaches the edge of the penalty area, the Spaniard shoots wide.

First glimpse of Sergio Aguero tonight and his goal-bound effort is easily saved by Simon Mignolet. It's been a poor night for the returning City forward.

Former Liverpool winger vs former Manchester City man down the attacking right tonight.

Back underway at Anfield. No changes, but already an obvious alteration for City who move David Silva into a central position. Let's see what difference that makes.

Ominous for Man City.....

Half time: Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City

Perhaps not the thriller we were promised, but nevertheless an entertaining half at Anfield. Liverpool lead through Georginio Wijnaldum's fine header, with Manchester city having offered almost nothing as an attack force. Pep Guardiola's side have failed to implement their passing game from the outset and that has left sitting ducks. Much to improve on.

Liverpool should really be two up by Roberto Firmino fails to release the ball to Lallana in time, before the England man runs into an offside position. Big waste.

City almost capitalise from a rare Liverpool error as De Bruyne drives at the heart of the defence, after being gifted the ball by Lallana, but Klavan gets back to deflect the ball behind.

Tells you a fair amount about this game.

City haven't been able to get their passing game going at all in this first half, with Liverpool pressing sporadically and putting real pressure on the likes of Stones and Otamendi. This is really restricting the service to Silva and De Bruyne and really ensuring the Reds' back-four has been totally unhurt.

Jurgen Klopp will be delighted with his side's early lead.

Adam Lallana continues to be mesmeric and a first time ball almost helps put Liverpool two up, but Firmino can't rein the ball in.

Wijnaldum fancies a second as the balls sits up around 25 yards out but with reckless abandon he hammers the ball over. Liverpool very much in the ascendancy, with City unable to get out of their half.

Nicolas Otamendi hammers the ball out of play to underline of what has been a horrid start from Manchester City. Aguero and Silva can't get into the game and as a result they're struggling to pose a real threat.

Wijnaldum wheels away after netting the opening goal.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Manchester City (Georginio Wijnaldum)

The Reds hit the front with a gloriously taken goal. Lallana cross from the left and Wjnaldum times his header to perfection and bullets the ball past Bravo. Fine effort.

A few gremlins in the system at IBT HQ, but we've sprung back into life. You've missed nothing from Anfield, where the game has got underway, and the game is still goalless. Nothing to report in terms of chances either.

The atmosphere is building at Anfield ahead of kick-off.

Man City's inspirational captain is not available today, but he is cheering on the team at Anfield.

Liverpool are the highest scorers in the Premier League but it is at the back where their title challenge could yet falter. Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius have been rotated throughout the campaign, while the heart of the Reds' back four has also seen a mountain of changes. No team in the top six has conceded more, and that surely has to change if Jurgen Klopp has any designs on leapfrogging Chelsea in 2017.

Manchester City have gone from one extreme to the other this season. They began with five straight wins at the start of the campaign, but after defeat to Tottenham and Chelsea exposed their defensive issues - holes have appeared. The thrashing by Leicester only enhanced the scrutiny but three consecutive wins have helped reignite their campaign. Can they combined attack and defence to deadiy effect tonight?

So full time in the six 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League, and Chelsea have gone nine points clear at the top. Liverpool and Manchester City could be out of sight if either one were to lose tonight, while a draw doesn't help either side. it could be a real cracker to end an exhilarating 2016, on the pitch at least.

Liverpool start with Emre Can in midfield ahead of a recognised forward. Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi on the bench.

Man City recall Sergio Aguero and John Stones to their first time. Fernandinho partners Yaya Toure in midfield.

Team news in at Anfield.

So how might both teams line up this afternoon?

Liverpool are again without Philippe Coutinho while Joel Matip is also absent.

Man City have Sergio Aguero available again after a four-game ban, while John Stones is back after a knee problem. Leroy Sane and Vincent Kompany are out.

Before we begin building up to the final Premier League game of 2016, a quick word on our live blog of the 3pm kick-offs which is currently underway with each of the six games having reached the second half. You can follow all the goals here.

If Chelsea are indeed to be troubled on route to what appears to be a routine Premier League title, then either one of Liverpool or Manchester City will need to have near-perfect campaigns in 2017. Starting tonight, the final game of 2016, would be a good time to lay down a marker ahead of a pivotal 12 months.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola collide for the first time since their spells at Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich respectively, and will look to showcase two of the most distinctive styles of play in the English top flight. This game tends to have goals too, with 20 in the last in the Premier League. It should be the perfect way to warm-up for the new year celebrations.

All the team news and build-up ahead of the 5:30pm GMT kick-off at Anfield, on the way.