Trent Alexander-Arnold cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Manchester City.
Before last season, barely a point separated these two sides. A modern rivalry of contrasting styles of football. Early indications from this campaign hint towards a return to a breathless, high-quality footrace for the Premier League title.
Pep Guardiola versus Jurgen Klopp. Nothing but respect between the two as the two most successful managers in recent English history. After finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, ‘Liverpool Reloaded’, as coined by Klopp, is in full force as the Reds have climbed into the familiar position of second.
The Liverpool boss opted for Joel Matip to partner Virgil van Dijk in defence. Curtis Jones joined Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. And it was a front three of Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota.
The first heart-in-mouth moment for either side fell to Liverpool as Alisson gave the ball straight to Phil Foden, who fortunately for the Brazilian, wasn’t able to get a clear, meaningful effort on goal.
Shortly after, at the other end of the pitch, Ederson made a reaching save to deny Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker after Nunez headed goalward from Salah’s cross.
It would be the Champions to punch first as Alisson’s poor clearance fell to Nathan Ake, who found Erling Haaland after a bit of wriggling around Liverpool’s midfield. Haaland made no mistake finishing past Alisson for his 50th Premier League goal in just 48 appearances.
There was a sense by half-time that the game was still up in the air and Liverpool certainly wouldn’t feel deflated. They’ve had worse opening first half performances at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City thought they had found another goal to double their advantage midway through the second half as Ruben Dias poached home at the back-post from a Julian Alvarez corner.
The referee initially blew the whistle for a foul on Alisson as Manuel Akanji appeared to impede the Reds’ goalkeeper. There wasn’t much of a complaint from Dias as VAR agreed with the onfield decision.
Ten minutes later, Salah provided the assist as Trent Alexander-Arnold struck the ball from the edge of the box. Low and driven – Liverpool were level at the Etihad Stadium.
The Reds held on for the last twenty or so minutes as eight additional minutes were added on at the end of the match. A point that will feel like a win for Liverpool, and a loss for Manchester City.
It marks the first time Manchester City have failed to win a game of football at their home ground this calendar year. Liverpool will fall to fourth in the Premier League table should Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur both win their matches.
Oh, and by the way, Jeremy Doku is the scariest player I’ve seen in a long time. Manchester City have got such a lethal, special player on their hands.
The next obstacle in Liverpool’s way will be LASK in the Europa League at Anfield. A win will confirm their place in the knock-out stages of the competition. Whether that’s in the round of 16 or the play-off will depend on other results in the group.
Kick-off is at 8pm on Thursday, 30 November.
Manchester City team: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Rodri, Akanji, Foden, Alvarez, Silva, Doku, Haaland.
Liverpool team: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Szoboszlai (Gakpo 73), Mac Allister (Endo 85), Jones (Gravenberch 54), Salah, Nunez (Elliott 85), Jota (Diaz 54).
Read More Liverpool Coverage:
- Luton Town 1-1 Liverpool – Analysis Of Frustrating Draw
- Luton Town 1-1 Liverpool: Late Diaz Header Rescues Point at Kenilworth Road
- Bournemouth 1-2 Liverpool: Nunez Stunner Sends Reds to Quarter-final
- Manchester United & Liverpool Eye Sporting CP Defender Goncalo Inacio