Liverpool put on an absolute masterclass to defeat Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

It seems for all intents and purposes that the Premier League title is theirs to lose, winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Fabinho, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

And even a consolation strike from Bernardo Silva and some controversial refereeing decisions that had Pep Guardiola crying foul couldn't dampen the mood.

While City have always bemoaned a terrible record at Anfield, Liverpool still had a huge job on their hands to control the midfield of the champions.

The responsibility of containing creative influences like Ilkay Gundogan, Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne was bestowed upon the trio of: Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum.

Liverpool 3-1 Man City

It's a triumvirate that is often greeted with eye rolls and with ex-Sunderland and Newcastle players making up two thirds of it, you can understand why the selection is seen as 'unfashionable'.

That, and the fact there were calls for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to start after a rich run of form that brought goals against Arsenal and Genk (home and away).

But Klopp stuck to his guns, as he so often does for big games, and the result was all the vindication he needed.

Liverpool's midfield brilliance

And the team at Match of the Day were certainly aware of the midfield's influence and Alan Shearer led a fascinating segment on the role they played in breaking down City.

Shearer highlighted Wijnaldum's creativity in the final third and diagonal passing; the superb high pressing from Henderson and Fabinho playing like a prime N'Golo Kante.

Oh, and there was even time to praise Fabinho for his goal. We can't imagine why.

Check out the full video down below to see one of the best midfield performances you're ever likely to see against a Guardiola team. 

Now that, ladies and gentleman, is why Klopp made the selection decisions he did.

GIVEMESPORT's Kobe Tong says

Downplay Henderson, Wijnaldum and Fabinho at your peril.

Sunday was proof that even some of the strongest midfields in the world can have their feathers ruffled by Klopp's dependable, big-game trio.

There's something about the three, when they work together, that gets under the skin of opposition that are often more talented on paper - and it suits their manager's style to a tee. 

However, what's most ignored is the attacking influence that all three players have - although Wijnaldum is perhaps most worthy of praise - and their ability to create from deep.

The trio all have the ability to pick out a diagonal ball upon the transference of possession, unleashing the front three's pace and movement when defences are on the back foot.