Magical Mohamed Salah struck a crucial 39th goal of the season to send Liverpool into the Champions League semi finals at the expense of English rivals Manchester City.

With a 3-0 deficit to overturn from the first leg, Pep Guardiola’s side got the perfect start in only the second minute as Virgil van Dijk was hurried into a mistake and Fernandinho slipped through a pass for Raheem Sterling and he teed up Gabriel Jesus to slot home.

The hosts were dominant after that and Bernardo Silva curled an effort against the post before a controversial and crucial moment.

A poor punch by Loris Karius struck James Milner, not Jesus, and bounced back goalwards where Leroy Sane touched home.

But referee Antonio Lahoz ruled the goal out for offside. An irate Guardiola was sent to the stands at half time for venting his feelings on the matter and City’s hopes were sunk.

Salah chipped home to level on the night before Roberto Firmino struck a second to seal a 5-1 aggregate success.

SPECIAL SALAH

Mohamed Salah celebrates his equaliser

If ever there was doubt about Mohamed Salah’s current standing, this game should dispel any doubts, end any arguments.

The Egyptian hero has been Liverpool’s talisman all season but hardly had a kick in the first half at the Etihad amid injury concerns and his side’s tactics in sitting deeper.

But when the Reds needed him most, he delivered, landing the knockout blow to City’s hopes and sending his side into the semis.

Salah is to Liverpool what Lionel Messi is to Barcelona, what Cristiano Ronaldo is to Real Madrid. In his debut season at Anfield, his inspirational abilities will see him rank with the legends who have worn red over the years.

Be it Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez. Every team needs a brilliant individual to win the biggest trophies and Salah is Liverpool’s prize guy.

REF RAGE

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz

While VAR may not sit well with every football fan and there will always be debatable decisions, there can be few who would want a game ruined by more inept refereeing.

Wasn’t the whole point of technology to stop this? The outcome of a massive game like this, watched by the world, should not hinge on a decision that defied logic and understanding.

It was one that every referee and his assistant should have known about before they were allowed to take the field in a lower league game, let alone one of this magnitude.

When Loris Karius punched out a clearance under pressure and the ball rebounded quite clearly off James Milner and back towards goal, Leroy Sane was not offside as he touched home.

VAR would have confirmed that and 2-0 up at half time, City would have had the greater momentum in their comeback quest. Instead, they were incensed and hurting.

With Guardiola sent to the stands for venting his fury, City lost their commander, their 12th man, on the touchline too. Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz had a shocker, missing handballs and failing to act decisively to cut out blatant fouls from Liverpool players like Roberto Firmino who should have been shown two yellow cards rather than be on the pitch to score.

STERLING CENTRAL TO CITY

Raheem Sterling in action against Liverpool

It’s been a difficult week for Sterling. Having not started at Liverpool in the first leg, he was handed the main striking role in Saturday’s derby with Manchester United and glaring misses contributed to a 3-2 defeat that denied City the Premier League title.

But it is testament to his character and class that he did not let that affect him against his former club. He did not hide as he produced another enterprising and engaging display to emphasise what a talent he is and integral to City’s future.

The game also highlighted where he is best utilised too. He is no central striker as perhaps the burden of being the main source of goals may be too much and there is no need for that pressure with Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus around.

But playing off Jesus last night he proved a livewire, drifting off the flanks with freedom and an appetite for destruction. It was his hustling of Virgil van Dijk that led to the opener for Jesus and he was a constant threat.

With pace, panache and purpose he is a handful for any defence. At 23, he is only going to get better.