Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City: Alexis Mac Allister penalty earns point for Reds

Alexis Mac Allister has converted nine of his 10 penalties in the Premier League, including each of his past eight

Liverpool and Manchester City fought out a thrilling draw at Anfield to leave Arsenal top of the Premier League.

This meeting of the pre-eminent domestic powers of recent years lived up to its billing in an encounter of the highest quality in which both sides had chances to claim a vital victory.

Manchester City took a 23rd-minute lead when a slick corner routine caught Liverpool cold and John Stones turned in Kevin de Bruyne’s delivery at the near post.

City deserved the lead but were pegged back when they conceded a penalty only 84 seconds after the interval – Darwin Nunez was sent crashing to the ground by keeper Ederson after intercepting Nathan Ake’s poor backpass. After a delay, Alexis Mac Allister scored the spot-kick.

Ederson, who was injured in the incident, tried to play on initially – facing the penalty – but was unable to continue, and had to be replaced by Stefan Ortega.

As Liverpool finally turned on the full power in front of an expectant Anfield, Luis Diaz missed a glaring chance when put clean through by substitute Mohamed Salah while Ortega blocked crucially from Nunez.

City had chances of their own as Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher blocked from Foden. Kelleher also had a lucky escape when he punched Ake’s cross on to Foden, the rebound crashing against the bar, while Jeremy Doku struck the post late on.

Liverpool will also feel they had strong penalty claims when Doku’s foot was high on Mac Allister in the dying seconds but nothing was given.

These two outstanding sides could not be separated on the day – which means, for now, it is advantage Arsenal in the title race.

Liverpool show huge character

Liverpool initially struggled to impose themselves on Manchester City, and their first-half efforts were frantic in comparison with the visitors’ more measured approach.

They were never out of contention, however, despite trailing to Stones’ goal.

And once they were thrown the lifeline of Mac Allister’s equaliser following Ake’s error, Liverpool showed that relentless urge to attack that almost brought them victory – although City had clear chances of their own too.

Diaz will wonder how he missed their best chance when sent clear by a magnificent Salah pass, the Egyptian’s first touch after coming on as substitute on the hour. Diaz was full of energy and pace throughout but wasteful in the vital moments.

Liverpool will be disappointed to have conceded the Premier League leadership to Arsenal this weekend, but they are still in an outstanding position as the season enters its final stretch.

And the fearless approach of Jurgen Klopp’s side, which they demonstrated once they got themselves back in the game, means they can enter this defining period with confidence.

Mixed feelings for Man City

Manchester City have had tough times at Anfield in recent years but this will rank among their most composed displays, despite a second-half Liverpool onslaught after Mac Allister’s equaliser and the loss of Ederson to injury.

And this is why there will be mixed feelings for manager Pep Guardiola because he will know his side were exerting a strong measure of control until Nathan Ake’s dreadful back pass. Not only did it offer Liverpool a way back into the game, it also led to the incident that forced Ederson off.

City still posed a huge threat even when Liverpool went through the gears in the second half, cursing their luck when Foden hit the bar with a rebound off Kelleher’s punch, then Doku hit the post.

The immediate concern will be Ederson’s injury but there was still much to admire in City’s display, especially the outstanding Rodri, although De Bruyne was visibly unhappy when he was surprisingly replaced by Mateo Kovacic after 69 minutes.

In the end, City will take a point at Anfield and move on, although they may also feel they let three points escape their grasp because of Ake’s self-inflicted wound.

It was honours even after a magnificent game – but Arsenal are the big winners this weekend.

Player of the match

DiazLuis Diaz

Line-ups

Liverpool

Formation 4-3-3

62Kelleher

84Bradley78Quansah4van Dijk2Gomez

10Mac Allister3Endo8Szoboszlai

19Elliott9Núñez7Díaz

62Kelleher84BradleySubstituted forRobertsonat 61’minutes78Quansah4van Dijk2Gomez10Mac Allister3Endo8SzoboszlaiSubstituted forSalahat 61’minutes19Elliott9NúñezSubstituted forGakpoat 76’minutes7DíazSubstitutes11Salah13Adrián18Gakpo21Tsimikas26Robertson42Clark53McConnell65Nallo67Koumas

Man City

Formation 3-2-4-1

31Ederson

2Walker25Akanji6Aké

16Rodri5Stones

47Foden20Bernardo Silva17De Bruyne19Álvarez

9Haaland

31EdersonBooked at 47minsSubstituted forOrtegaat 56’minutes6Aké25Akanji2Walker20Bernardo SilvaBooked at 59mins16RodriBooked at 45mins17De BruyneSubstituted forKovacicat 69’minutes5Stones47Foden9Haaland19ÁlvarezSubstituted forDokuat 69’minutesSubstitutes3Rúben Dias8Kovacic11Doku18Ortega21Gómez24Gvardiol27Nunes52Bobb82Lewis

Live Text

Match ends, Liverpool 1, Manchester City 1.

Second Half ends, Liverpool 1, Manchester City 1.

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Nathan Aké.

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Nathan Aké.

Offside, Liverpool. Mohamed Salah is caught offside.

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by John Stones.

Foul by Jérémy Doku (Manchester City).

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool).

Phil Foden (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Attempt saved. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Luis Díaz.

Jérémy Doku (Manchester City) hits the right post with a left footed shot from the left side of the box. Assisted by Erling Haaland.

Foul by Luis Diaz (Liverpool).

Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Andy Robertson (Liverpool).

Manuel Akanji (Manchester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match because of an injury Kyle Walker (Manchester City).

Attempt missed. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left.

Attempt blocked. Joe Gomez (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

2024-03-10 18:16:44
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