Manchester City escaped Anfield with a point after wasteful Liverpool failed to find a winner in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
[ MORE: JPW’s player ratings from Liverpool 1-1 Man City ]
An absolutely monumental game in the Premier League season lived up to the anticipation, at least in terms of intensity, but the draw leaves neither team top of the table.
The table reads Arsenal 64 points, Liverpool 64 points, Man City 63 with 10 games to play for each of the three super powers. And Man City versus Arsenal is coming up March 31.
WATCH LIVERPOOL vs MANCHESTER CITY FULL MATCH REPLAY
It may be the final meeting of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, with the latter leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
Klopp’s press turns back time but opportunity wasted
The shame of Liverpool’s draw is that it will ultimately go down as a missed opportunity. The Reds had 53% possession in both halves and their control over the game. Luis Diaz missed some terrific chances to score and Darwin Nunez — monstrous over most of his 76 minutes — also couldn’t convert a good chance. On a day with Mohamed Salah only capable of a half-hour and both Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold amongst the missing, creating chances was not an issue.
Really, they should’ve won. And not taking all three points may be the difference in the title race, though Liverpool still control their destiny.
“It has been proven over the years that this game is quite enjoyable as neutral,” said Virgil van Dijk on USA Network after the game. “For us it’s just about running your socks off and trying to compete. Based on the second half we have a bit of a bittersweet feeling. Obviously at the end they hit the post but we could’ve won here. It’s always an intense battle against these guys and an amazing manager.”
The Reds’ desperation in their last chance to take points off Man City or Arsenal was evident from Moment No. 1 and it was channeled into good until late (when super sub Mohamed Salah and wasteful Diaz were among the players trying to buy cards and penalties).
Escape is at hand for the travellin’ Man City
The last match-up of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola in the Premier League wasn’t an unqualified victory for the former, but his halftime tactical switches left the latter unable to get a real hold of the game for more than a handful of brief second-half moments.
City never recovered from the two errors that led to Liverpool’s penalty and Ederson’s exit, as Nathan Ake’s poor back pass and the panicked keeper’s decision to clatter into Darwin Nunez — who had probably pushed his dribble a bit too deep into the box — put Alexis Mac Allister on the spot and eventually led to the injured Ederson leaving the game for Stefan Ortega.
Fortunately for Man City, Ortega was excellent. His four saves were very important to the final score and we may see more of the German in this title push. All told, City had to escape Anfield with their point, out-attempted 19-10 and down 2.46-1.61 in xG. All but 1.96 of that Liverpool xG came after the break. Klopp masterclass.
What’s next?
Manchester City host Newcastle in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Saturday, then Arsenal come to town for a massive match at 11:30am ET on March 31.
Liverpool have a Thursday visit from Sparta Prague in the Europa League Round of 16 but they lead 5-1 and will be able to take advantage of it. Then it’s a Sunday FA Cup quarterfinal visit to Manchester United and a March 31 visit from Brighton in the Premier League.
How to watch Liverpool vs Manchester City live, stream link, start time
Kick off: 11:45am ET, Sunday (March 10)
TV channel: USA Network
Online: Watch online via NBC.com
Liverpool vs Manchester City live updates as they happened- By Nick Mendola and Joe Prince-Wright
Liverpool vs Manchester City final score: 1-1
Goals: Stones (24'), Mac Allister (pen 50')
Liverpool vs Manchester City player ratings (fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Manchester City player ratings (fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Manchester City player ratings (fotmob.com)
Virgil van Dijk reaction — ‘Bittersweet’
“It has been proven over the years that this game is quite enjoyable as neutral,” said Virgil van Dijk on USA Network after the game. “For us it’s just about running your socks off and trying to compete. Based on the second half we have a bit of a bittersweet feeling. Obviously at the end they hit the post but we could’ve won here. It’s always an intense battle against these guys and an amazing manager.”
Eight minutes stoppage
I’m a neutral and I’m not sure my nerves can take eight more minutes of this madness. — Nick Mendola
Doku, Salah both come up short
Jeremy Doku works Joe Gomez to create a yard of space and rips a low shot that beats Kelleher but bops off the far post.
Liverpool go the other way and Salah’s right-footed shot from a tight angle is easily caught by a well-placed Ortega. — Nick Mendola
Unhappy De Bruyne, Alvarez off; Ortega makes another stop.
Kevin De Bruyne is unhappy to leave the game after 69 minutes, as Julian Alvarez joins him on the bench in favor of Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku.
De Bruyne’s exit should allow more possession and stability for a City side that has struggled to keep the ball let alone produce second-half danger.
Then there’s another block for Ortega, who is doing well in place of Ederson. — Nick Mendola
Diaz blows two chances as sub Salah makes instant impact
Oh it should be the hosts in front.
Mohamed Salah hits a sensational incisive pass to send Luis Diaz 1v1 with Ortega, but Diaz sprays his shot high and wide.
He’s got another chance but takes a touch and Kyle Walker denies him for a corner kick. — Nick Mendola
Kelleher comes up big, then so does Ortega
Jarell Quansah’s given the ball away in a bad place, and Kevin De Bruyne’s spotted Phil Foden. The in-form English playmaker is saved point-blank by Caoiminh Kelleher.
Liverpool race the other way and Luis Diaz worked a delightful 1-2 with Darwin Nunez, whose spinning return pass deserves an assist but is denied by a sliding Ortega.
This game is buzzing now. — Nick Mendola
Ederson won’t continue, Ortega enters
If Man City is to win this, it’ll come in front of Stefan Ortega.
Ederson still isn’t right after the injury suffered while conceding the penalty to Darwin Nunez, and the Brazilian is replaced by his German deputy. — Nick Mendola
Alexis Mac Allister converts penalty — Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (50th minute)
Ederson tries to guide Mac Allister to the left. Mac Allister was either going there anyway, or buys it.
Maybe it’s the injury, but Ederson can’t reach the ball. It’s a decent pen and we’re level at a delighted Anfield. — Nick Mendola
Ederson injured in conceding penalty
What a mistake.
Nathan Ake doesn’t put enough on a back pass to Ederson, and the Brazilian keeper decides against getting big to block Darwin Nunez’s path to goal, instead chopping down the charging and in-form Liverpool forward.
Surely he had a better choice. And he’s picked up a right leg injury, adding injury to insult. — Nick Mendola
Halftime — Liverpool 0-1 Manchester City
Erling Haaland dizzied Virgil van Dijk and ripped a shot right at Kelleher. A few minutes later it was a goal mouth block by Stones. Then Kyle Walker couldn’t quite pick out the right man on a 3v2 rush. Chances are not few and far between at Anfield.
Liverpool should still have hope of getting something despite their nervy start. In-form Darwin Nunez had the goal ruled offside and should also have an assist.
Both teams have taken seven shots but City’s put four on target compared to one for the Reds. Liverpool’s out-possessed the Reds and the young right side of Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah have looked more comfortable than their dodgy start to the affair.
When will we see Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson? Might Jeremy Doku be part of the answer for City? Let’s see if the wizards make halftime changes in their 30th all-time meeting. — Nick Mendola
Szoboszlai should make it 1-1
A lovely cross into the box from Elliott finds a soaring Szoboszlai but his header is off target. He almost jumped too high there. — Joe Prince-Wright
John Stones heads home from a corner! - Liverpool 0-1 Manchester City (24th minute)
Kevin de Bruyne with a sensational low corner to the near post as John Stones finishes. What a moment of magic that is from De Bruyne. Genius from KDB. City lead. — Joe Prince-Wright
Van Dijk clears with Haaland lurking
City are getting in often down their left and a cross to the back post is towards Haaland who looks like he will head home. But Van Dijk clears. It goes out for a corner. — Joe Prince-Wright
The ball is in the back of the net bur Nunez is off
Nunez is played in but he went early. He crosses for Diaz to slot home but the offside flag correctly goes up. The momentum of this game has swung in Liverpool’s favor after that slick start from City. — Joe Prince-Wright
So close for Liverpool
Conor Bradley charges down the right flank and he drives the ball across goal but Nunez can’t convert as he slides in at the back post. Much better from Liverpool. Klopp is loving it. — Joe Prince-Wright
Great chance for De Bruyne, twice
A lovely City counter as Haaland plays it out to Alvarez and he finds Kevin de Bruyne on the overlap. KDB tries to dink the ball to the back post but he overhits it and it goes out. Moments later KDB has a shot on goal which swerves and forces Kelleher to push it away. City rampant early on. — Joe Prince-Wright
Silky start from City as Foden, Alvarez get in
What a lovely couple of moves from City. First, De Bruyne is played in down the right and he finds Foden in the box but the City playmaker delays his shot by a second and Virgil van Dijk sticks out one of his telescopic legs to make a brilliant block and win the ball back. Moments later Julian Alvarez is found on the left but his low shot is saved by Kelleher. Positive start from City.
Welcome to the biggest game of the season! Anfield is crackling with anticipation and the teams looked so focused in the tunnel area. You’ll Never Walk Alone is now being belted out by the home fans. This is what the Premier League is all about. Interesting note: Liverpool will attack the Kop in the second half as the teams have switched ends. — Joe Prince-Wright
"We are here to win, guys. Vamos!" the TV cameras pick up Rodri saying in Manchester City's team huddle seconds before kick off at Anfield. #LFC #MCFC #LIVMCI
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) March 10, 2024
Liverpool lineup
Kelleher; Bradley, Van Dijk, Quansah, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Elliott, Nunez, Diaz. Subs: Adrian, Tsimikas, Robertson, Clark, McConnell, Nallo, Koumas, Gakpo, Salah.
Manchester City lineup
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake; Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva; Foden, Haaland, Alvarez. Subs: Ortega, Dias, Kovacic, Doku, Gome, Gvardiol, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis.
Liverpool team news, focus
Liverpool’s injury issues are calming down a little with Salah now back, while Nunez, Endo and Szoboszlai are also back in the fold. With so many games in the Europa League, PL and FA Cup, Klopp needs as many regulars as possible back. As great as the kids have been in recent weeks he needs experience against Manchester City.
OUT: Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Diogo Jota (knee - out months), Alisson (thigh), Curtis Jones (ankle), Ryan Gravenberch (ankle), Joel Matip (torn ACL - out for season), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (groin)
Manchester City team news, focus
City’s best form of the season has coincided with very few injuries as their best lineup has been rolled out time and time again and it’s all clicking. Pep will have some big decisions to make in attack with Alvarez and Doku scrapping for a starting spot, plus he also had the luxury of resting plenty of key players for their UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg against Copenhagen in midweek.
OUT: Jack Grealish (leg) | QUESTIONABLE: Jeremy Doku (undisclosed), Matheus Nunes (finger)
