Manchester City earned what could prove to be an invaluable point an Anfield on Sunday as they drew 1-1 with Liverpool.
The champions have been in excellent form of late and came into the game with 17 wins in the last 19, but this was an underwhelming display from a side who simply do not enjoy their trips down the M62 to Anfield.
John Stones had handed City a half-time lead, but the Blues' disappointing second-half display meant they were somewhat fortuitous to escape with a draw as the three-pronged title race took another twist.
City started the game on top and, despite the pre-match talk surrounding Liverpool’s intense atmosphere, were more confident on the ball in the opening stages. Julian Alvarez and Kevin De Bruyne tested Caoimhin Kelleher in the first15 minutes before Stones grabbed the opener.
De Bruyne’s inch perfect cross to the front post was tapped in by the ex-Everton man at Anfield, as soft a goal as you’ll see in the Premier League this season, with Liverpool’s lax defence punished. Nathan Ake blocked off Alexis Mac Allister and Stones did the rest, as he nudged City ahead.
But the champions failed to push on and it was Liverpool who carried the greater threat towards the end of the first period. Luis Diaz, who saw an earlier goal ruled out for offside, went closest as his driven effort from the edge of the box fired just wide. Dominik Szoboszlai also saw a header sail just off target, before the Hungarian’s free-kick was held by Ederson in the final chance of the half.
But within three minutes of the restart, the game was turned on its head as Nathan Ake’s underhit pass back to Ederson was intercepted by Darwin Nunez, who was then scythed down by the City keeper. It proved to be a costly moment that changed the course of Sunday’s encounter. Mac Allister slotted home from the spot soon, not long before the injured Ederson was replaced.
In contrast, Liverpool introduced Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah from the bench as a dominant Liverpool overawed City. Diaz went close twice on the break, Salah volleyed wide, Mac Allister also saw an effort saved and Stefan Ortega flew out to smoother Nunez’s front-post shot.
An out-of-sorts City were rattled as they dispelled wave after wave of Liverpool attack. Pep Guardiola managed to wrestle back some control with the introductions of Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku. The latter hit the post as the game ticked towards the 90-minute mark in what was City’s best chance of the half. Prior to that, the visitors’ only real chance came from Foden forcing Kelleher into a near-post stop.
Liverpool were denied an injury-time penalty as Doku caught Mac Allister in the chest after winning the ball in the box. The Belgian might have just got away with one - that was the story of the afternoon for City.
Jurgen Klopp and Guardiola embraced at the end of their final Premier League tussle. The seventh title the pair have competed for will be decided over the coming two months, with Sunday's point leaving Arsenal in the driving seat for now.
Here’s how we rated the City players…
1. Ederson- 5 (off 55)
Gave away a needless penalty. After a good first half, the mistake early in the second resulted in an opposition spot-kick and an injury that forced him to be replaced.
2. Kyle Walker- 5
Had a difficult afternoon up against the relentless Diaz. Walker did offer an attacking threat from right-back at times.
3. Manuel Akanji- 7
Defended well, especially in the face of Liverpool's second-half onslaught.
4. John Stones- 7
Got the vital first-half goal and made some good blocks at the end of the opening 45. City were at their best when Stones got on the ball and pushed into midfield.