Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez curled in an injury-time free-kick to send Algeria into the final, prompting wild celebrations as fans set off fireworks on Blackstock Road, in Highbury.

Sportsmail looks at both sides, the Manchester City v Liverpool rivalry in this game, how each team got to the final and why Kalidou Koulibaly's suspension could come back to haunt Senegal.

Pep Guardiola has agreed with Jurgen Klopp that the amount of games players have to play is ludicrous. Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez won the African Cup of Nations with Algeria on Friday.

Aston Villa have taken their summer spending spree up to £99.25m with the signing of Trezeguet from Kasimpasa. The 24-year-old has joined for £8.75m.

JOE BERNSTEIN AT ANFIELD: Possibly Jurgen Klopp's only flaw for the majority of last season was refusing to believe anyone in his squad was capable of giving his front three a rest.

Ivory Coast international Wilfried Bony, who cost Manchester City £28million as recently as 2015, spent the latter half of last season on loan from Swansea at Al-Arabi in Qatar.

 Wilfried Bony has revealed he is close to moving abroad after leaving Swansea this summer - and is training with League Two Newport County to keep his fitness up.

'It's the Nicolas Pepe show in north London,' came the commentator's scream as he fired in his second free-kick of the night. 16 miles south, another Ivorian winger will have been watching with interest.

Riyad Mahrez has pulled-out of the Algeria squad ahead of their African Cup of Nations clash with Botswana on Monday. He assisted in the 5-0 thrashing of Zambia, has not travelled to Botswana

Instantly naming Mahrez as the best current Arab player in the world, former City midfielder Nasri admitted he had reached his verdict 'because (Mahrez) is Algerian and I like his style of play.'

MARTIN SAMUEL - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: An entertaining reaction can be expected now the Africa Cup of Nations will be reverting to its previous place in the calendar from 2021.

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: Jofra Archer's first Test wicket provided the catalyst as England's bowlers enjoyed a profitable third morning against Australia at Lord's.

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: Australia retain the Ashes and in truth they have been the better team. They planned well in advance and got their attack spot on.

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: Finally I have an answer to my question. How do you get Steve Smith out? A straight one from Chris Woakes. Simple.

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: That was a sobering start for England's new era. It will be alarming for the management, and for English coaches, that their batsmen are technically inferior to New Zealand's.

BUMBLE AT THE TEST: On the face of it, England selected a very disjointed side: five seamers, no spinner and a part-time wicketkeeper. I suspect this selection was driven by stats of previous Tests.

DAVID LLOYD: It's all pretty surreal now, isn't it? Things have certainly moved on apace since last we spoke and I just hope everyone is staying well and doing the right thing.

Marcus Rashford has won the Premier League Player of the Month award for his superb performances in January. The Manchester United striker has been rejuvenated under boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Dutchman played a huge part in the 0-0 as he was involved in an altercation with Arsenal's Patrick Vieira that saw the Frenchman sent off for a second yellow and also missed a late penalty.

The England international went on a downward spiral after the 2018 World Cup but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked to have rejuvenated his career after replacing Jose Mourinho as United boss.

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku declared that he has been 'a man on a mission' ever since Belgium's third-placed finish at the 2018 World Cup.

The Daily Mirror claim Paul Pogba has told Manchester United he wishes to join Real Madrid, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to have plans to make him part of the club's future midfield.

Manchester United are readying themselves for all possibilities once football is able to finally return amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the dawning realisation that fans may not be present until 2021.

Paul Pogba has struggled to settle at United since his £89million return from Juventus in 2016 and has been been linked with moves to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain as well as a Juve return.

The Serie A club are willing to entertain offers for the 28-year-old Senegal centre back when the transfer window finally opens this summer with Liverpool reportedly leading the chase.

Wayne Rooney has recalled the abilities of his former Manchester United colleague Ravel Morrison with the highest praise. And he's far from alone in remembering how good Morrison used to be.

Rojo, currently on loan at Argentine club Estudiantes, was filmed smoking and playing cards with friends by his brother Franco, who then uploaded the clip into his Instagram account.

David Beckham was sent off in the second-half of England's last 16 game with Argentina after kicking out at Diego Simeone. The Three Lions would go on to be knocked out by their rivals on penalties.

The Argentine star has impressed Maurizio Sarri this season - scoring 13 goals in 34 games and providing 12 assists - and is once again becoming a key player for the current Serie A leaders.

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has admitted he has a 'tough childhood' as he revealed he 'begged for money' whilst growing up in the streets of France.

Paul Pogba left Juventus to sign for Manchester United back in 2016. However the French World Cup winner has been linked with moves back to Juventus or to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

He won't select Trent Alexander-Arnold over Gary Neville right now, but Rafael feels it is only a matter of time before the Liverpool youngster rockets past the level of his former team-mate.

Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam has been out of a job since resigning as boss of Eredivisie side Feyenoord in October after less than five months in charge of the club.

Rojo, who is on loan at Estudiantes until the end of the season, was seen playing poker and smoking with friends in a video posted on social media and later deleted by his brother Franco.

The Manchester United forward has not played since sustaining a back injury against Wolves in an FA Cup third round replay on January 15, but is nearing full fitness as he trains during lockdown.

Jesse Lingard is at a crossroads in his career. He is out of favour at his boyhood club, Manchester United. But these players show that leaving Old Trafford might not be the best option...

The French defender became a firm favourite at United, spending eight-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford after joining the club from Monaco in January 2006. But he wasn't always in favour.

The Portuguese midfielder has settled in well to life at Old Trafford and already has pundits, fans and former United players fawning over his early performances after his £68m move from Lisbon.

The striker burst on to the European stage this season after his impressive form for Red Bull Salzburg earned him a £17million transfer to Borussia Dortmund in January.

Pretty much every major character in the drama of Sir Alex's 26 years at Old Trafford - and a good number of minor ones too - has a story to tell about his infamous 'hairdryer' treatment.

Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand's comments discussing Ravel Morrison's wasted '£100million' potential have 'upset' the former Manchester United wonderkid.

During a game between Liverpool and Manchester United in 2011, Evra and Luis Suarez were involved in an altercation and the Frenchman alleged that the former Reds star called him the N-word.

EXCLUSIVE: United had hoped to act after the introduction of new areas for disabled supporters had recently reduced capacity. But work has been put on hold until the end of next season.

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra revealed that Ferguson was also trying to bring Gareth Bale from Tottenham along with Ronaldo to United just weeks before he retired.

Almost a quarter of the Gunners' revenue for the 2018-19 season came from matchday earnings and shutting fans out of the Emirates Stadium amid Covid-19 fears could cost them £122m.

Sampdoria believe they are owed a fee as part of the deal that took Fernandes to Manchester, claiming they inserted a sell-on clause in the deal that took him from Italy to Lisbon in 2017.

Manchester United have agreed a £250,000 deal with Sunderland for teenage striker Joe Hugill. The 16-year old is an old fashioned style centre forward.

Angel Di Maria's time in the Premier League was short lived, and it may not just have been to do with his form at Manchester United, as his wife has revealed the awful time she had in England.

United have long admired the Italy international and scouted the £60m rated winger as recently as February. However, Chelsea's interests have also grown in recent weeks.

Giggs won plenty of silverware under Ferguson at Old Trafford including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League wins, but it is Van Gaal who he claims has shaped his managerial style.