MAN CITY 1 LIVERPOOL 1
The late substitutions demonstrated that the usually attack minded Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp were content to settle for a draw after a pulsating Premier League fixture between top-four teams Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad.
Guardiola sacrificed the skilful Leroy Sane for defensive midfielder Fernando Reges while Klopp took off striker Roberto Firmino so Lucas Leiva provided an extra body in midfield.
City remain third and Liverpool fourth, though it was a point gained for both if viewed from a glass half full or a case of two dropped if seen as half empty.
It was that made for compelling viewing as Liverpool took the lead through a penalty from City old boy James Milner with City levelling through Sergio Aguero.
But there were missed chances from both sides and a number of rejected penalty appeals as the fixture provided plenty to discuss in the aftermath as the managers reflected on another memorable meeting between the two teams.
The fact it ended all square was probably a fair reflection on another memorable meeting between these giants.
Guardiola described it as one of his “proudest” moments in football in view of the reaction after the midweek Champions League defeat at AS Monaco and after falling behind against opponents who had all week to prepare for the game.
He said: “We created a lot of chances, but our problem is that we didn’t score from those clear chances.
“To achieve big targets we have to be more clinical – we have to improve and we need to score more goals.”
Guardiola again reaffirmed his desire to stay for the full duration of his three years and to help the players improve.
When asked if he could coach the strikers to be more clinical, his reply was that is his entire career he only scored 11 goals so he wasn’t qualified to tell Aguero how to improve.
Klopp thought his side might have emerged victors after Adam Lallana had a great chance to win the game.
He explained: “Adam said sorry after the game, but he doesn’t need to as he was outstanding.
“He is one of the best technical players I have worked with and, if he doesn’t score, that says it all.”
Klopp added it was a positive to go to City and pick up a point.
He continued: “I am proud of the performance and it was important to give a sign to all the people we can perform like this. It is not easy or all the teams could do it.
“It must have been a good game to watch, but it was hard being on the side of the pitch.”
City made only two changes from the side that started their Champions League match at Monaco in midweek.
Yaya Toure and Nicolas Otamendi replaced Bacary Sagna and Aleksandar Kolarov as Fernandinho slotted in at right back.
Though the opening 20 minutes produced no clear-cut chances, it was an absorbing spectacle with the match played at an electrifying pace as the persistent rain left a greasy surface that also provided an additional ingredient.
City had the first chance as Leroy Sane drove in a low ball from the left that keeper Simon Mignolet kept out with his legs. The ricochet fell invitingly to David Silva who shot wide from 12 yards.
Toure was booked for a foul on Emre Can. As the two players slid in for a loose ball, Toure’s studs went into the chest of the German.
Liverpool had a shout for a penalty rejected after Mane skinned Otamendi. He went down as he was about to shoot as keeper Willy Caballero saved at his feet, though replays suggested the striker made contact first with City’s defender.
And they had a second shout waved away after Toure looked to take Georginio Wijnaldum before the ball when making a tackle in the box.
City also had a penalty appeal after Silva fired a low ball across the face of goal. Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho, both sliding in, failed to convert. But replays showed Milner shoved Sterling and it ought to have been a spot kick and red card.
Liverpool finished the half strongly as Firmino and Adam Lallana both forced excellent saves from Caballero.
And they bean the second period on the front foot as Mane had a shot deflected over by John Stones.
The breakthrough came when Liverpool won a penalty in the 49th minute for Gael Clichy’s high boot to the chest of Firmino as the striker burst clear earning the defender a booking.
Milner stepped up to send Caballero, renowned for saving spot kicks, the wrong way. It was the 12th penalty awarded this season by referee Michael Oliver, the most by any top official.
City came close to equalising when Stones headed narrowly wide from a corner.
Liverpool were denied a second goal by Caballero who deflected Firmino’s shot for a corner after he was released by Philippe Coutinho’s delightful reverse pass as the game remained compelling viewing.
Sagna replaced Toure midway through the half allowing Fernandinho to revert to his usual midfield role.
And the switch paid almost immediate dividends as City equalised in the 69th minute. An excellent crossfield ball from Fernandinho released Kevin De Bruyne on the right and his low cross by converted by Aguero from seven yards for his 25th goal of the season.
City ought to have taken the lead after they cut open the Liverpool defence with the moving ending when De Bruyne’s shot struck the upright with Mignolet well beaten.
Liverpool should have taken the led with 10 minutes left when they opened up City’s defence and Firmino cut the ball back for Lallana who miscued from seven years with only Caballero to beat, a terrible miss.
City made their second change with seven minutes left when Sane was replaced by Fernando Reges.
In stoppage time Auguero had a chance of glory but blazed over from six yards after getting on the end of a De Bruyne cross.
Aguero had another chance in the fourth added minute, but again shot over as City ran out of time and had to settle for one point.