The Blues could have no complaints after a display that failed to do themselves justice against a decent Liverpool side who are yet to lose in 2011.
But for some superb keeping by custodian James Wood, the Reds would have been 2-0 up by the time City finally stirred into action when, on 38 minutes, Bradley Robinson came within a whisker of putting Scott Sellars' side ahead with a rasping low drive that went inches wide.
Five minutes later, however, Liverpool went ahead when Raheem Sterling evaded the efforts of the City defence to calmly slot past Wood and give his side a lead they kept until the break.
Winger Adam Morgan was causing City plenty of problems and after forcing another good save from Wood, the same player saw a shot crash back off the post as the Reds pressed for a second shortly after the re-start.
Despite being pinned back for much of the game, the Blues clawed their way back into the conteston the hour with a stunning 30-yard volley from Alex Henshall - his third of the season. Suddenly City's hopes of extending their unbeaten league run to ten games looked possible, but Liverpool almost re-took the lead straight from the kick-off when Morgan rounded Wood but saw his shot cleared off the line.
Both teams then had chances to score thereafter before the dangerous Morgan finally got the goal his performance deserved on 82 minutes to take the points for Liverpool and complete a miserable day for the off-colour Blues.
