Manchester City retained their imperious 100% home Premier League record as they denied Liverpool the chance to regain top spot in an entertaining encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
Manuel Pellegrini's side made it an impressive nine out of nine - with 37 goals scored - to move into second place behind Arsenal as the Reds slipped to fourth after a 2-1 defeat.
Negredo watches his winner edge over the line after Mignolet's howler
However, had Raheem Sterling's effort not been wrongly ruled out for offside before either side had scored - and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet not made a hash of Alvaro Negredo's winner - Brendan Rodgers' side could well have got much more out of this game.
City 2-1 Liverpool
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(01 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(02 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Raheem Sterling of Liverpool fails to score from close range during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LIVERPOOL(03 of31)
Liverpool's Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 26, 2013. Manchester City won 2-1. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(04 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Yaya Toure of Manchester City is closed down by Glen Johnson of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(05 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Yaya Toure of Manchester City is closed down by Glen Johnson of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(06 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Yaya Toure of Manchester City is closed down by Glen Johnson of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LIVERPOOL(07 of31)
Liverpool's Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel reacts at the final whistle during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 26, 2013. Manchester City won 2-1. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(08 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City beats Martin Skrtel of Liverpool to the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(09 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Luis Suarez of Liverpool challenges for the ball with Joleon Lescott of Manchester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(10 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LIVERPOOL(11 of31)
Manchester City's Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo (C) kicks the ball during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LIVERPOOL(12 of31)
Manchester City's Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo (L) vies with Liverpool's Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LIVERPOOL(13 of31)
Manchester City's Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo shoots to score a goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(14 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City shoots to score his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LIVERPOOL(15 of31)
Manchester City's Belgian defender Vincent Kompany (2-R) shoots to score a goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LIVERPOOL(16 of31)
Manchester City's Belgian defender Vincent Kompany (R) celebrates scoring a goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LIVERPOOL(17 of31)
Manchester City's Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo celebrates scoring a goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN CITY-LIVERPOOL(18 of31)
Manchester City's Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo celebrates scoring a goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England on December 26, 2013. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLISRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(19 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(20 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(21 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Samir Nasri of Manchester City celebrates the goal scored by Alvaro Negredo during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(22 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Yaya Toure of Manchester City looks dejected during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(23 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City shoots to score his team's second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(24 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: David Silva of Manchester City controls the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(25 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Luis Suarez of Liverpool challenges for the ball with Joleon Lescott of Manchester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(26 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Luis Suarez (C) and Raheem Sterling (R) of Liverpool congratulate goalscorer Philippe Coutinho during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(27 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City shoots to score past Simon Mignolet of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(28 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Alvaro Negredo of Manchester City shoots to score past Simon Mignolet of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(29 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Yaya Toure of Manchester City is closed down by Martin Skrtel of Liverpool during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(30 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Luis Suarez of Liverpool talks to Vincent Kompany of Manchester City as they walk off for half time during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester City v Liverpool - Premier League(31 of31)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Luis Suarez of Liverpool talks to Vincent Kompany of Manchester City as they walk off for half time during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on December 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Philippe Coutinho gave the Reds a deserved lead and Vincent Kompany nodded in an equaliser, before Mignolet's clanger allowed Negredo to net the winner.
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