LIVERPOOL 1, MAN CITY 1
What had been billed by some as a potential Premier League title decider certainly didn’t disappoint as Manchester City and Liverpool had to share the spoils in a blockbuster.
Breathless, enthralling and absolutely captivating were words used to describe this hugely entertaining match you could not take your eyes off.
City bossed the opening period and took a deserved lead through John Scales.
It was an altogether different story in the second period which Liverpool dominated as City were subject to wave after wave of attacks from the home side.
Alexis Mac Allister equalised with a penalty early in the second half, but they could not conjure a winner despite their considerable pressure.
And City might also have snatched all three points as Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku both struck the frame of the goal.
But the main beneficiary of this stalemate was Arsenal who this weekend have gone top. But with only one point separating the top three, it is shaping up to be an enthralling end to the season.
Guardiola said: “We started really well but they are incredible team. We had our moments, they had theirs. The way they play it is not easy. We take that point.
“First half we had momentum, lots of chances first half. And after we gave away the penalty, we suffered. It was a good game for the spectators.
Embed from Getty Images“I know how difficult it is at Anfield. It is difficult at Etihad too, Liverpool have not won there in eight years. We prove, both sides we are incredible competitors. I would prefer a win but they prove for many years the quality they have. It was good from everyone.
“I know how difficult it is at Anfield. It is difficult at Etihad too. Liverpool have not won there in eight years. We prove, both sides we are incredible competitors. I would prefer a win, but they prove for many years the quality they have. It was good from everyone.”
Guardiola also gave his reaction to Kevin De Bruyne being annoyed to be taken off, saying: “That’s good. Have a chance next game to prove it. We need a player who keeps the ball. It’s not about pressing. Kovacic is really good at that. We were happy with Kevin. It’s not a problem. We’re fine.”
John Stones added: “We created quite a lot of chances early on in the game and probably could have taken them and been two or three up but that is football.
“We know what we are in for coming here. We feel a bit deflated in the dressing room. We came here to win, but this is such a difficult place to come.
“I think the second half was more them than us and it kind of balanced out. We’ll take the point.
“Every game is a final for us. We treat every game like that. We have to continue, take the positives out of today and look forward to the next game.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “Sensational. First 10 minutes we were in a bit of a rush and Manchester City were directly there.
“The second half was the best we ever played against Manchester City, definitely.
“They hit the post of course but we should have scored two or three goals. Exceptional football game. Wow!
“For me, we proved today the first time 100% we are exactly where we should be. We will fight for it and see what we can get.
“I don’t think I’ve seen them struggling like they were today. We were outstanding.
“The mother of all results is the performance. The good things we have to keep doing.”
Klopp added his side ought to have been given a second spot kick in the dying seconds.
“It was 100% penalty. They will find an explanation. It was 100% foul in all areas of the pitch and probably a yellow card,” he said.
“All the people with ipads around me were ‘wow, clear’. Maybe they can hide behind the phrase it is not clear and obvious.
“It is of course a penalty, but we didn’t get it and that is fine. The most important thing for me is that we can play football like that. I saw so many sensational performances today.”
Guardiola, who has now won only one of nine visits to Anfield which was during Covid at an empty stadium, made two changes to the side which beat Manchester United last weekend.
Manuel Akanji came in for Ruben Dias while Doku dropped to the bench for Julian Alvarez.
Klopp made four changes to the team which beat Nottingham Forest in the 99th minute last Saturday.
Mohamed Salah could only start among the substitutes, but Darwin Nunez came into the side.
Ibrahima Konate missed out with the injury he sustained in the win over Sparta Prague as Jarell Quansah came in.
City struck the first blow even before a ball was kicked as captain Kyle Walker won the toss and made Liverpool switch ends to attack the Kop in the first period.
And they also had the first shot in anger in the third minute as Alvarez’s angled effort was held by keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
De Bruyne also went close in the early stages with a chip which floated narrowly wide.
Liverpool had the ball in the net in the 19th minute, but Nunez had strayed offside before squaring a pass for Luis Diaz to slot home at the far post.
City made a 24th minute breakthrough following a corner routine perfected on the training ground.
De Bruyne’s set piece was delivered low to the near post for Stones, who slipped marker Nunez, to fire home. There was a delayed celebration as many thought the ball had flown into the side netting.
What perfect timing for Stones to score his first goal of the season.
Liverpool had a great chance to equalise but Dominik Szoboszlai headed over from eight yards following Harvey Elliott’s pinpoint cross.
De Bruyne then had an effort which was deflected narrowly wide and at the other end Diaz pulled a shot wide as it looked only a matter of time before there were further goals.
And deep into stoppage time, Liverpool had their first effort on target as a 25-yard free kick from Szoboszlai forced Ederson into a comfortable diving save.
Liverpool were gifted a way back into the game 90 seconds after the restart when Nunez intercepted a Nathan Ake back pass and sprinted away only to be taken out by Ederson who picked up a yellow card.
And Mac Allister made no mistake from 12 yards with his fourth goal for the club following his summer move from Brighton.
There was a further twist as minutes later Ederson went down again, a legacy of conceding the penalty, and limped off to be replaced by Stefan Ortega.
Liverpool failed to clear their defensive ranks after a series of errors which eventually let in Phil Foden whose shot was well blocked by Kelleher.
Klopp made a double change after an hour as Salah and Andy Robertson were introduced for Szoboszlai and Connor Bradley.
Salah made an instant impact slicing open the City defence with an amazing pass which sent Diaz clear only for the Colombian to shoot wide with just Ortega to beat.
Diaz was played in again moments later, this time by Nunez, only for Walker to nip in and concede a corner.
Salah fired narrowly wide and Mac Allister brought a diving save from Ortega as Liverpool found themselves in firm control.
City made a double change with 21 minutes left as Alvarez and De Bruyne made way for Jeremy Doku and Mateo Kovacic.
Robertson fired over a low cross for Nunez who was blocked at point-blank range by Ortega.
Liverpool had a let off when Kelleher punched Ake’s cross onto Foden and the ball rebounded on to the bar.
Quansah made a forward burst from the back and unleashed a drive which Ortega had to dive at full stretch to turn away.
Liverpool had another escape in the 89th minute when City broke and Doku’s shot from the left of the box struck the far upright.
There was further drama in the ninth minute of added time for a high boot by Doku on Mac Allister which went to a VAR check but referee Michael Oliver’s decision not to give a penalty was upheld.
However, former Premier League referee Mike Dean described Duku as being “fortunate” as this was almost the last action of a game which will live long in the memory.