Liverpool vs Man City LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Alexis Mac Allister penalty ensures draw
Jurgen Klopp faces Pep Guardiola for potentially the final time in the rivalry that has defined the Premier League in recent years - and could yet decide this season’s title race
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A game that had everything except a crescendo - and maybe some accuracy. As high as the standards to this rivalry have been over Jurgen Klopp’s time at Liverpool, there was a symbolism in how it was error that characterised another otherwise brilliant match against Manchester City. Liverpool lost John Stones for the first goal before a misplaced Nathan Ake pass gave up the equaliser, as so many chances were missed.
That may actually be better for the title race, since imperfection tends to produce much more drama than perfection. This 1-1 draw was certainly best for Arsenal, who stay top of the league on goal difference.
Such margins reflect how this game itself had echoes from then high ceilings of the first Liverpool-City title race in 2018-19, as there were so many near misses that may yet bring this down to mere millimetres again.
There was still the sense that Liverpool will feel they deserved more than the draw, although they can take considerable confidence from how a depleted side took it to City. Follow live reaction from Liverpool vs Manchester City below and get the latest match odds here.
Big misses and defensive errors leave Premier League title race awaiting final act
A game that had everything except a crescendo - and maybe some accuracy. As high as the standards to this rivalry have been over Jurgen Klopp’s time at Liverpool, there was a symbolism in how it was error that characterised another otherwise brilliant match against Manchester City. Liverpool lost John Stones for the first goal before a misplaced Nathan Ake pass gave up the equaliser, as so many chances were missed.
That may actually be better for the title race, since imperfection tends to produce much more drama than perfection. This 1-1 draw was certainly best for Arsenal, who stay top of the league on goal difference.
Such margins reflect how this game itself had echoes from then high ceilings of the first Liverpool-City title race in 2018-19, as there were so many near misses that may yet bring this down to mere millimetres again.
There was still the sense that Liverpool will feel they deserved more than the draw, although they can take considerable confidence from how a depleted side took it to City.
Big misses and defensive errors leave Premier League title race awaiting final act
Liverpool 1-1 Man City: Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty ensures a point apiece - and Arsenal remain top of the table
Premier League title race: Who has the best fixtures?
With that result meaning only one point separates Arsenal, Liverpool and City at the top of the table, take a look at each club’s remaining fixtures.
City still have to play Arsenal, Villa and Spurs, while Liverpool will play Manchester United, Spurs and Villa. Arsenal play Spurs in an away North London derby, and will also play Villa and Manchester United.
Premier League title race: Who has the best fixtures in the run-in?
Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal all have tricky tests to pass as the Premier League title race hots up, but who has the best run-in?
Attention turns to cup competitions
After a whirlwind afternoon, both sides will turn their attentions to cup competitions as next week approaches.
Liverpool have a straightforward Europa League second leg tie against Sparta Prague on Thursday. The Reds lead 5-1 from the first leg, so Klopp will likely rest a few players before their FA Cup tie away at Old Trafford on 17 March.
City don’t have a midweek game after beating Copenhagen last week, but will face Newcastle United in the FA Cup on Saturday 16 March.
Jurgen Klopp imparts force of personality over Pep Guardiola’s tactics once more to keep Liverpool on track
Pep Guardiola may have settled for a handshake but the huge figure of Jurgen Klopp enveloped him in a hug. An epic, extraordinary rivalry may be over but Guardiola versus Klopp is the saga that never grew tired. If itends with the status quo preserved, with Arsenal still top of the table, Liverpool still ahead of Manchester City and Guardiola’s side still favourites for the title, it also does with further evidence of Klopp’s primacy in another respect.
He preserved his winning record against the Catalan, conjured a second draw after trailing this season, rallied his weakened team to produce a storming, stirring performance and imposed his personality and footballing philosophy over their last duel.
This was the essence of Klopp’s Liverpool, a thrillingly wild ride. The emblematic moment was a barnstorming run by Luis Diaz, barrelling his way 60 yards, bundling and blasting past Kyle Walker and Rodri. The dominant player was Darwin Nunez, the byword for chaos, helping cost Liverpool a goal, helping them get a goal.
Klopp personality edges Guardiola’s tactics to keep Liverpool on track
The two managers have frequently clashed at the top but the City boss has never beaten his rival at Anfield
Player ratings
So, Liverpool come from behind to draw 1-1 with Manchester City in a huge game at the top of the Premier League.
Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty cancelled out John Stones’ first-half effort and despite a few later near-misses from Luis Diaz, the points were shared. Here are the player ratings from Anfield.
Liverpool vs Man City player ratings as Van Dijk impresses in title tussle draw
Liverpool 1-1 Man City: John Stones and Alexis Mac Allister scored as the teams couldn’t be separated
Klopp gives his thoughts
Jurgen Klopp is animated as he speaks to the media, saying he is “really happy” with the performance and the result.
He believes that the late challenge from Doku was a penalty, saying: “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 calls the second half his side’s “best ever performance against City”.
“They hit the post of course but we should have scored two or three goals. Exceptional football game.
“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.”
Guardiola’s turn to speak to the media
Pep Guardiola is the first of the managers to speak to Sky.
“We started really well but they are incredible team,” he says.
“We had our moments, they had theirs. The way they play it is not easy. We take that point.
“I know how difficult it is at Anfield. Both sides are incredible competitors. I would prefer a win but they prove for many years the quality they have. It was good from everyone.
“We still have 10 games to go, many things can happen.”
Stones speaks to Sky
John Stones thinks that City were in control in the first half, and “could’ve been two or three up, but that’s football”.
“We know what we’re coming into coming here. We feel a bit deflated – we came here to win, but the is such a difficult place to come.
“They’re a top side and we know what quality they’ve got.”
The goalscorer says that City now need to “treat every game as a final, as a must-win. [Let’s] take the positives and look forward.”
Virgil van Dijk speaks to Sky
The Liverpool captain, who is awarded man of the match, is first to speak to Sky along with Jarell Quansah. He says the second half was “much better than the first”.
“We had very good chances but unfortunately couldn’t convert them. Based on the second half we should have won it, but they had a shot that hit the post as well.
“City has been very successful, and I think every game we’ve played has been very intense. They have quality all over the pitch, that’s why they won the treble last year. To come away with a point is not a bad situation.”
On Quansah, he says the “sky is the limit” for the youngster.
The title run-in
All three teams have other worries before their next Premier League matches.
Liverpool face Sparta Prague on 14 March before an FA Cup tie away at Manchester United on Sunday.
Arsenal face Porto in the Champions League in midweek, looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
City face Newcastle in the FA Cup on Saturday 16 March.
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