Liverpool and Manchester City share points in a tense encounter at Anfield
The clash between Liverpool and Manchester City is the main rivalry in the English Premier League in recent years, and despite such an abundance of goals scored, this time the teams parted in peace, taking one point each (2-2).
As expected, the game started at high speed and with mutual pressure. As it might have seemed, Liverpool ran out of energy quicker – the first half, according to Klopp, was clearly a failure: by the 25th minute the Reds had slowed down and hardly approached the Manchester City goal with just one shot in total.
The Citizens, on the other hand, created some dangerous chances but failed to convert them: in some places, Alisson was good, and in others, the City players were firing past the woodwork.
“Very average first half from us. Probably less than average, we were too passive with and without the ball and played right into City’s hands. That was the worst half we have played against them. I was more than pleased when I heard the whistle for half time because we had to adjust a lot of things and we did. Second half completely different.”
said the German specialist after the game.
After the break, Liverpool’s forwards turned up the heat, with Mohamed Salah, in particular, stepping up. In the 59th minute of the game, the winger picked up the ball in his own half, ran away from Joao Cancelo, and shifted to the centre near the City penalty area. Salah’s pass put Sadio Mane one-on-one with Ederson, and the Senegalese did not disappoint by firing into the left-hand corner.
The goal was the 99th in the Premier League for Liverpool’s number 10
Just 10 minutes later, a Gabi Jesus Salah-style solo run brought Manchester City a goal as the Brazilian moved down the right flank into the centre and delivered a cross to Phil Foden on the left wing – the young Englishman pumped the ball hard into the far bottom corner.
But Salah was unstoppable on the night with his outstanding performance. It’s even difficult to describe his goal in words: comparisons with the best career goals of Lionel Messi do come to mind.
Still, Manchester City are no ordinary team and they never lose their spirits, even after such masterpieces against them. Kevin De Bruyne found the ball at the edge of the box and took a one-touch shot that ricocheted off Liverpool defender Joel Matip which interrupted Alisson‘s efforts to get the ball out of the corner. This equaliser was the last goal of the match.
There were also controversial moments in the game, such as the referee’s uncertain decision not to send off James Milner as he should have been shown a second yellow, something that could certainly have had an impact on the game.
“It was a yellow card, it was too obvious. I know for referees it is not easy at Anfield and Old Trafford, there is a lot of pressure for everyone. Football is about emotions but it is obvious it is a yellow card.”
– said Pep Guardiola, who was booked for arguing with the assistant referee.
“What a game. That is the reason the last years Man City and Liverpool were always there because we try to play in this way. Unfortunately we couldn’t win – but we didn’t lose. That’s why the Premier League is the best [that it could go either way]. It was great, really great.”
he added, assessing the match.
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- Salah has scored for the 7th consecutive game for Liverpool. The streak of eight goals has lasted since 28 August.
- Liverpool are second in the EPL with 15 points, while Man City are third with 14. Chelsea are the leaders with 16 points.
