MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -Manchester City remained one level away from Liverpool on the prime of the Premier League standings after the highly-anticipated clash of the giants ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw on the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The match lived as much as its billing proper from the off as City flew out of the traps, racing right into a fifth-minute lead after Kevin De Bruyne’s strike was deflected previous Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
City, enjoying with the excessive urgent depth which their opponents are famed for, might have taken the lead moments earlier however Raheem Sterling shot softly at Alisson from an excellent place.
With the raucous house crowd sensing Juergen Klopp’s aspect have been wobbling, nonetheless, Liverpool confirmed their mettle as they regrouped and levelled eight minutes later via Diogo Jota, assisted by a perfectly-cushioned Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.
The tempo was relentless, the motion gripping and the momentum shifted once more when Gabriel Jesus restored City’s lead in the thirty sixth minute.
Liverpool cleared a nook solely so far as Joao Cancelo and the Portuguese full again floated the ball again deep into the field the place Jesus had stayed onside, nipping previous Alexander-Arnold and steering the ball previous Alisson.
It was the primary time Liverpool had trailed on the break in the Premier League this season, however they didn’t want lengthy to revive parity, scoring 46 seconds after the restart.
Mohamed Salah picked the ball up on the fitting flank and cut up the City defence with an outstanding cross to Sadio Mane who burst goalwards earlier than changing together with his customary precision.
City have been shocked however Pep Guardiola’s aspect recovered to regain management of the midfield for a lot of the second half and so they got here closest to profitable the sport.
Raheem Sterling thought he had once more given the hosts the benefit in the 63rd minute, racing on to an excellent De Bruyne via ball, just for the previous Liverpool ahead to be dominated offside following a VAR evaluation.
In the ninetieth minute, City substitute Riyad Mahrez shaved the skin of the submit with a free kick and in stoppage time the Algerian had a fantastic probability to win the sport however his tried chip was off beam.
The outcome was a repeat of October’s scoreline at Anfield and was the primary time City had scored first and never gone on to win in the Premier League this season.
A fourth Premier League crown in 5 seasons is in City’s palms, although, as they moved on to 74 factors, one forward of their title rivals, however with seven video games left for each groups there’s nonetheless loads of work to do.
(Reporting by Peter Hall, modifying by Ed Osmond)
