Champions League: Liverpool 3 Manchester City 0: Klopp's crop stun City

Manchester City's treble hopes are hanging by a thread after it suffered a 3-0 first-leg defeat against Liverpool in the Champions League.

Liverpool's Mo Salah celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal against Manchester City.

Mohamed Salah inspired a first-half blitz as Liverpool seized control of its Champions League quarterfinal tie against Manchester City with a stunning 3-0 win at Anfield.

As expected, the first leg of the all-English tie provided plenty of goals, albeit few predicted Jurgen Klopp's side would score three without reply against the Premier League champion-elect.

Salah broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, grabbing his 38th goal of a prolific season after Roberto Firmino had capitalised on Kyle Walker's failure to clear the danger.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled Liverpool's advantage with a blistering drive from distance, while a third arrived just after the half-hour when Sadio Mane headed home Salah's delivery from the right flank.

Sensational in the first half, the home side rather retreated after the interval, its cause not helped by Salah's departure with an apparent groin injury.

The fitness of the club's leading scorer will be a concern for Klopp ahead of the second leg next Tuesday — as will be the suspension of Jordan Henderson — yet a sixth win over Pep Guardiola in 13 meetings puts Liverpool in command and leaves City's treble hopes hanging by a thread.