AUTHOR: JAMES PEARCE

It was the enduring image of a momentous afternoon which will take its place in Anfield folklore.

There was Steven Gerrard, soaked in sweat and overcome with emotion, delivering a rallying cry as Liverpool's triumphant players huddled together in front of the adoring Kop.

As a wall of noise rocked Anfield to its foundations, Gerrard addressed Brendan Rodgers' shattered troops.

"This is gone, we go to Norwich, and do exactly the same," he bellowed above the din.Within seconds of inspiring Liverpool's most cherished league victory for more than two decades, the captain's thoughts had already turned to the next assignment.

The message was clear - the dream is still some way from becoming a reality.

Now is  not the time to be basking in the glory of their remarkable achievements.Yet Gerrard will know better than anyone the significance of such a cherished victory over title rivals Manchester City.

This was a giant step towards landing the Holy Grail. The one major prize which has eluded Gerrard over the past 16 years is now within sight.

Beat Norwich City, Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United and Liverpool's 24-year wait for a 19th crown will be over.

Having already instigated one miracle on the banks of the Bosphorus nine years ago, Gerrard is on the brink of repeating the trick. There would be no more fitting recipient of that coveted trophy on May 11.

No wonder tears filled the skipper's eyes at the final whistle. The enormity of the occasion was mixed with sadness on the day Anfield fell silent to remember the 96.

Gerrard's cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley was just 10 when he died at Hillsborough. "I play for Jon-Paul," Gerrard wrote in his autobiography. A title triumph would be the most fitting of tributes.

Rodgers had insisted his players would be inspired by the 25th anniversary commemorations and so it proved. All the raw emotion which contributed to a spine-tingling atmosphere was channelled into a performance brimming with quality, desire, courage and character.This was Liverpool's date with destiny and they delivered with a 10th successive league win - the club's best run since 2005.

The ruthless, relentless Red machine Rodgers has assembled continues to hit new heights.

'Now you're gonna believe us,' chanted the Kop and there can be few remaining outside of Anfield who have any doubts. Liverpool have shown all the hallmarks of champions.

The Reds stunned Manuel Pellegrini's men with a blistering start as goals from Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel put them firmly in control.

However, City launched a classy second-half fightback with David Silva halving the deficit before Glen Johnson's own goal restored parity.

Liverpool were on the ropes but the backbone Rodgers has installed came to the fore. They retained their composure and simply picked themselves up and went again.

When the outstanding Philippe Coutinho rifled the winner past Joe Hart 12 minutes from time, Anfield was engulfed by euphoria.

A jubilant Rodgers charged on to the pitch before turning and raising a clenched fist in the direction of principal owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner.

When the American duo saved the club from the brink of administration with Fenway Sports Group's takeover in October 2010, Liverpool were a point off the bottom of the Premier League.

Now they look down on the rest and boast a team four wins away from footballing immortality. That rapid rise has been as thrilling as it was unexpected.

Eyebrows were raised when Henry and Werner plucked Rodgers from Swansea in the summer of 2012 but their faith in him has been richly rewarded.

Without the blank chequebook available to Pellegrini, the bold Northern Irishman has found another route to the summit. He has put in place a style and a team ethic which has ensured the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Rodgers has put his faith in youth and his coaching acumen has fast tracked their development. The perfect example of that is Sterling, who tormented City throughout.

Flourishing at the tip of the midfield diamond, the visitors simply couldn't handle his pace and intelligent movement.

Inside six minutes, Luis Suarez had shrugged off the attentions of Gael Clichy and set Sterling clear with a perfectly weighted pass. The teenager kept his cool and finished in style.

Liverpool were better in all departments and City, rocked by the sight of Yaya Toure limping off, couldn't live with the hosts' tempo and intensity.

Daniel Sturridge failed to convert Sterling's inviting cross before Gerrard's bullet header was expertly tipped over by Hart.

The second goal Liverpool's dominance merited arrived in the 26th minute. Skrtel latched on to Gerrard's corner and sent a glancing header into the far corner.

When the tireless Coutinho then sent Clichy crashing to the ground with a crunching challenge, all four sides of Anfield roared their approval.

That show of desire was replicated by his team-mates. Fearless youngster Jon Flanagan expertly shackled Jesus Navas, while Skrtel barely gave Edin Dzeko a kick.

The big Bosnian briefly flickered into life but Gerrard got back to make a vital challenge.

City finished the first half with a flourish. First, Sterling and then Glen Johnson cleared off the line from Vincent Kompany before Simon Mignolet parried away Fernandinho's strike.

Mignolet, whose blunder handed Man City victory at the Etihad back in December, successfully exorcised the ghosts of that night. The Belgian made a significant contribution as he punched well and commanded his box.
City showed their class with the floral tribute from Joe Corrigan, Mike Summerbee and Tony Book, along with the 'YNWA 96' banner in the away end.

And in the second half they demonstrated why they were widely expected to run away with the title this term.
Silva spearheaded their revival as he tucked away a pass from substitute James Milner 12 minutes after the interval.

The Reds' nerves began to jangle and when Johnson directed Silva's cross into his own net soon after, the Kopites' title dream appeared to be slipping away.

Rodgers responded by introducing Joe Allen for Sturridge, who had been hampered by a hamstring problem.
The momentum remained with City. They were assisted by the arrival of Sergio Aguero but Silva squandered a golden chance as he fired wide.

It proved to be a pivotal moment as Liverpool countered and landed the decisive blow.

Coutinho latched on to Kompany's scuffed clearance and unleashed an unstoppable first-time finish into the bottom corner from 16 yards. It was a special strike from the Brazilian magician, who departed late on to a rapturous ovation.

The drama was far from over as, in stoppage time, Jordan Henderson saw red for his over-eager challenge on Samir Nasri and Skrtel's handball in the box went unnoticed.

The final whistle was greeted with a heady mix of joy and relief. Now to finish the job.

Source: Liverpool Echo