Gary Neville spots 'genius' Kevin De Bruyne moment during John Stones goal vs Liverpool

Gary Neville praised the 'genius' of Kevin De Bruyne after the Manchester City midfielder's pinpoint corner set up John Stones to score the opener against Liverpool.

Stones opened the scoring inside a raucous Anfield on Sunday afternoon, squeezing the ball past Caoimhín Kelleher's near-post from close-range after finding space from a corner. In what looked to be a pre-planned set-piece, the City defender was allowed to roam as Nathan Ake pushed Alexis Mac Allister away from his spot.

Stones will get credit for the goal but it would not have been possible without De Bruyne, who whipped an inch-perfect corner across the byline before it curled right into Stones' path. It was a moment of magic from the Belgian and Neville was quick to praise him as the players celebrated.

"That looked like genius from De Bruyne," Neville told Sky Sports. "How has he spotted that run from John Stones? It is something they have worked on, things like that don't just happen.

What a man to execute it. Nathan Ake blocks Alexis Mac Allister, has he prevented the Liverpool man from getting into that space? The delivery from De Bruyne is beautiful."

There were slight questions as to whether Ake had fouled Mac Allister as the corner came in, with replays showing a slight tussle between the pair as space opened up. But former referee Mike Dean brushed away suggestions of any issue and following a very brief VAR check, the goal stood.

Stones' goal was just rewards for a City side who enjoyed plenty of possession and looked sharp in the early exchanges at Anfield. De Bruyne was often the man in space but unable to make it count until the set-piece.

Jurgen Klopp's side had moments in the opening 45 but a sharp City outfit were undoubtedly the better side, with Phil Foden, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva all heavily involved.