Liverpool Holds Manchester City At Etihad Stadium
Manchester City remained one point clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table after their thrilling match at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday ended in a 2-2 draw.
The hosts started with Raheem Sterling up front, supported by Gabriel Jesus and Phil Foden on the wings. Liverpool fielded a familiar front-three of Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah in attack as they looked to upset the Premier League champions.
City came out firing, scoring in the 5th minute after Kevin De Bruyne’s strike was deflected past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
Pep Guardiola’s side were the dominant force throughout the first half, playing with great intensity, but the quality of Jurgen Klopp’s side ensured there was always danger.
Jota’s goal made that clear, in the 13th minute, laid into his path by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass to make the scores 1-1. The goal silenced the fans at the Etihad Stadium.
The tempo was high, the action captivating and the momentum shifted again when Gabriel Jesus restored Manchester City’s lead in the 36th minute.
Liverpool cleared a corner only as far as Joao Cancelo and the Portuguese full back floated the ball back into the box where Jesus had stayed onside, lifting the ball past Alisson.
It was the first time Liverpool had trailed at the halftime break in the Premier League this season, but they did not need long to equalise, scoring 46 seconds after the restart.
It was a goal made in Africa as Egyptian Salah picked the ball up on the right flank and split the City defence with a superb pass to Senegalese Mane, who fired past goalkeeper Ederson.
Raheem Sterling thought he had found a way midway through the second half, only to see his goal ruled out as a result of a narrow offside decision.
The goalkeepers were prominent in the game, making saves and making mistakes as both sides chased the winner. Salah saw a shot deflected wide, Gabriel Jesus missed the target when there were options in the middle. In the final minute, substitute Riyad Mahrez curled a free-kick wide of the post.
Liverpool came from behind twice in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium that leaves the Premier League title race still on a knife-edge.
“Of course, we knew we would come under pressure early on, they are a fantastic team,” said Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson. “I felt we settled down a bit and caused them problems.”
“It’s pleasing how we twice came from behind. We have to concentrate on ourselves and win as many games as possible. If they slip up we have to be there right behind them. We’ll keep going until the end.”
A fourth Premier League crown in five seasons is in City’s hands, though, as they moved on to 74 points, one ahead of title rivals Liverpool.
With seven games left for both teams, there is still plenty of work to do.
“We played very well, I think we had the upper hand. This is the way we need to play the rest of the season,” Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said.
“I know people said whoever wins gets the title. But it’s too hard, the schedule is too tough for both teams to win every game, but we will try.”
Premier League results
Brentford 2-0 West Ham United
Leicester City 2-1 Crystal Palace
Norwich 2-0 Burnley
Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters/Premier League.
