Philippe Coutinho's curler secures three points for Liverpool against Manchester City

Philippe Coutinho scored a late winner against Manchester City at Anfield for the second straight season as Liverpool won 2-1 on Sunday to dent the champions' chances of hauling in Premier League leaders Chelsea.

The in-form Brazilian playmaker capped another impressive display by curling in a superb shot from 25 yards in the 75th minute.

Captain Jordan Henderson scored a similar goal to put Liverpool ahead in the 11th minute and although Edin Dzeko equalised in the 25th after a slick move, City were sluggish in a match they needed to win to keep the pressure on Chelsea.

City stayed five points behind Chelsea but have played a game more. Chelsea were playing in the League Cup final against Tottenham overnight.

Liverpool climbed above Southampton to fifth and stayed two points behind Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification.

Liverpool, who are unbeaten in the league since December 14, were expected to be drained from a gruelling Europa League midweek journey to Besiktas - where they lost on penalties, but Brendan Rodgers' team looked fresher than a sluggish City.

Manager Rodgers said: "I have to take my hat off to players. To get back at half four in the early hours of Friday morning - by the time they got to bed it was six, and they had to sleep all of Friday ... but to come out and play like they did, they were relentless," said the Northern Irishman. "They restricted a top team to just one shot on target and deserve all the praise they will get."

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini felt the quality goals were the only difference between the two teams.