City had not beaten Liverpool since 1977 but, sitting second and taking on opponents in the bottom half of the table, they ended the streak. Asa Hartford put the visitors ahead in the ninth minute before Kevin Bond added a second from the penalty spot with 15 minutes left. Liverpool replied through Ronnie Whelan but Kevin Reeves then capitalised on a mistake from Reds goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar to make the game safe. However, Liverpool went on to take 63 points out of a possible 75 on their way to the title.
Three days prior to the game City lost 4-0 in the League Cup to Liverpool and things got worse when Ian Rush and Jamie Redknapp scored in the first five minutes of the league fixture.