Manchester City and Liverpool played out a slightly underwhelming 1-1 draw on Saturday in the Premier League top-of-the-table encounter.
It was a game in which Pep Guardiola's side were on top for long periods of the first period and scored via Erling Haaland, who became the quickest player to reach 50 Premier League goals. But City's hold on proceedings slipped after the break, with Trent Alexander-Arnold grabbing a late equaliser.
It was a tentative opening 30 minutes at the Etihad, with both teams wary of overcommitting in the early stages. Other than a Phil Foden shot that was held and a Darwin Nunez header that was tipped over at the other end, there were relatively few chances of note.
The game was played at a good pace though, with both sides pressing intently out of possession. As the first half continued, City’s control only increased and the hosts sent in some dangerous crosses, while Alisson had a few nervy moments in the Liverpool goal.
City capitalised one such instance when the Brazilian slipped as he kicked from his hands and the ball fell to Nathan Ake midway inside Liverpool’s half. The Dutchman managed to wriggle through the meek challenges of Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Sozoboszlai and picked out Haaland, who took a touch and fired at goal. Alisson got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out as City took a deserved lead.
They continued on top until the end of the half, with Jeremy Doku cutting inside and curling wide, while Julian Alvarez fired off target from a counter attack. Phil Foden also went close and forced Allison into an excellent low save. Meanwhile, the visitors failed to capitalise on some encouraging openings on the break.
The second period, like the first, was shy on clear-cut chances, with neither side particularly impressing. Alvarez fired over in the early stages, Phil Foden had a dangerous shot that was blocked by Virgil van Dijk, while Haaland headed over from a cross into the box. City did manage to score midway through the second period when Ruben Dias tapped in at the back post, but referee Chris Kavanagh - somewhat harshly - decided Manuel Akanji had fouled Allison seconds before and the goal was disallowed.
Liverpool hadn’t offered much at the other end, even if City’s dominance waned as the game went on, and the Reds grabbed a crucial goal in the 80th minute via Alexander-Arnold. Second after Haaland’s point-blank effort was kept out by Allison, Jurgen Klopp’s men raced down the other end and netted, after Mohamed Salah’s pass to Alexander-Arnold was control and dispatched at the edge of the box.
It was City who pushed hardest to find a winner, and Akanji's judged foul on Alisson resulted in a second disallowed goal in the second period, with the Liverpool stopper bumped into his own goal by the Swiss international. As the game went into injury-time, Bernardo Silva saw an effort blocked, not long before Haaland's header flicked just inches wide from a corner.
Here's how we rated the City players...
1. Ederson- 6
Made a good stop to keep out Nunez in the first period, and the goalkeeper sprayed several excellent long balls.
2. Kyle Walker- 7
Gave little away down City's right flank and won his battle against Diogo Jota and then Luis Diaz.
3. Ruben Dias- 7
Defended well and made a great sliding block to deny a Nunez shot in the first half.
4. Manuel Akanji- 6
Drove into midfield and helped City control the game in a number of passing sequences.