That strike came in the 13th minute and was a further reminder of the financial chasm between the clubs. Yaya Toure’s harrying gave possession to Adam Johnson on the City right, and the winger slipped in James Milner behind the Liverpool defence to cut the ball back for Barry to force home.

Barry, of course, was the man who inadvertently sparked the beginning of the end of Rafael Benitez’s reign and brought into sharp focus Liverpool’s financial limitations.

The visitors’ left flank proved fertile ground for City. Agger gave the impression of someone still struggling with the concussion that had threatened his involvement, and looked every inch the centre-back playing out of position at left-back after being constantly beaten by the rampaging Johnson.

Agger, though, wasn’t alone; few players in red did themselves justice, although to be fair, they weren’t allowed to by an impressive City display.

Liverpool’s greatest moments of danger came when Steven Gerrard was on the ball, but with the skipper in a deeper central midfield role, that threat was greatly compromised.

Ngog was the only player to test City goalkeeper Joe Hart with two comfortable efforts from range until, on the stroke of half-time, space opened up for Gerrard from a Torres lay-off but the eventual shot was sliced wide.

City, though, only had to wait until seven minutes into the half to score their second, with a goal Liverpool’s defence will not enjoy watching again.

Richards was allowed to leap highest and head Milner’s corner towards goal and Tevez, standing in front of Reina, did enough to distract the keeper and the ball bounced home.

Liverpool perhaps knew it wasn’t their day in the 57th minute when a combination of ill fortune and outstanding goalkeeping kept them at bay.

Gerrard’s shot from 20 yards beat Hart but struck the base of the post and flew back into play off the back of the keeper’s head. Possession eventually fell to Ngog and, after repelling the Frenchman’s shot, Hart did even better to deny Torres’s follow-up attempt.

Ten minutes later and the game was over. Johnson danced past Agger yet again before tumbling over Martin Skrtel’s slight challenge inside the area, and Tevez did the rest from the penalty spot.

Liverpool at least kept plugging away and, after Torres was inches away with an angled drive, his replacement, Ryan Babel, solicited another fine save from Hart at the keeper’s near post.

But it was all over by then. As, the suspicion grows, is Mascherano’s Anfield career.