Liverpool 1 Man City 1
This was the game that everyone had been looking forward to as the Premier League title race hots up. Rarely have we seen a three-horse race, but it seemed this time it was going to go to the wire. With Arsenal having moved to the top of the table, it was a huge game for both sides.
Anfield was a cauldron of noise but you would expect nothing else from such an occasion. Jurgen Klopp’s side were still missing some big names but his youngsters had done him proud so far this season. This time it was the reigning champions coming to town however.
The visitors were playing in confident fashion as Alvarez spotted De Bruyne in the box. He spotted Kelleher off his line slightly and tried to lift the ball over him. It dropped agonisingly close to the far post, only the Belgian will know if it was a cross or shot.
Van Dijk then spread the ball out wide to Bradley. He twisted and turned, causing Ake problems. The youngster then drilled his cross along the six yard box but Nunez could not get a touch on it at the back post. So close to giving The Reds the lead.
Credit: @ManCity
As a ball was played into Nunez once again, he unselfishly squared it to Diaz at the back post, who slotted into an empty net. The celebrations were cut short as it was ruled out for offside, the Uruguayan having started his run a little too soon.
Bernardo Silva clipped a dangerous ball in towards Haaland but Van Dijk was patrolling and did well to head the ball wide for a corner. As De Bruyne played it in towards the near post, Stones made a run before slotting it past the Liverpool keeper to give the visitors the lead.
It seemed a crucial goal in the title race as the Man City defender celebrated with the away fans. Rarely does the away side win this fixture but Pep Guardiola’s side had taken a big stride towards changing that statistic.
Diaz then picked the ball up on the left and looked to cut inside. Somehow, he managed to stumble through the challenges before getting a shot away on the edge of the box. It went narrowly wide of the post but the Columbian should really be hitting the target from there.
The visitors had a big chance before the break as Walker ran clear after intercepting a pass from Gomez. De Bruyne was busting a gut to get into the back post but the full back’s cross had too much pace on it for the Belgian.
Liverpool came out in the second half looking like a completely different side. As Ake played an underhit pass into Ederson, Nunez got to it first before the Brazilian wiped the striker out. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot.
Credit: @LFC
Mac Allister stepped up, after a break of almost three minutes for Ederson to receive treatment, to slot the ball home and drive Anfield wild. The keeper had gone the right way but the Argentine buried his effort into the top corner.
What will be more worrying for Guardiola was his keeper having to come off injured shortly later. That could prove a crucial factor when it comes to the run in. Ake had really dropped his side in it with his poor pass.
The game was end to end stuff with Foden having the chance to restore their lead. Kelleher came out quickly and got the all-important block to deny him. He has proved to be a brilliant stand-in for the injured Allison for Jurgen Klopp.
Salah came off the bench and immediately got into the action. He spotted a run from Diaz and threaded through an inch-perfect pass. With only the keeper to beat, Diaz poked the ball past him but also wide of the post to spur a huge chance for the hosts.
Liverpool were in the mood to get the win now. Mac Allister shot from the edge of the box, forcing Ortega to get down well and tip it around the post. He was called into action again as Robertson’s cross found Nunez but the Man City keeper blocked once again.
Doku was causing problems for The Reds and slotted Ake in down the left. As he tried to make up for his earlier error, his cross was punched by Kelleher into Foden. It deflected off him and thundered against the crossbar. So close to giving his side the lead, although he knew little about it.
Haaland then spotted Doku in space out on the left. With defenders standing in his way, he shifted the ball onto his left foot and shot. The ball struck the base of the post and came back into the grateful arms of the Liverpool keeper.
Deep into added time, Liverpool felt they should be awarded another penalty. Doku looked to clear the ball but his foot was high and he seemed to connect with Mac Allister’s chest. VAR checked the incident and cleared it.
The points were shared between these two giants and it was a game fitting for the last time these two managerial greats will go head to head. For the neutral, this seems like it will be an intriguing title race between the three sides.
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