Liverpool halted Manchester City’s formidable winning record at the Etihad Stadium as Trent Alexander-Arnold cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener in a 1-1 draw.
It was a day for chasing records and breaking them for the Citizens as they looked to take a greater stride to retaining their Premier League crown. Haaland’s first-half effort, which the Norwegian scuffed past Alisson Becker despite the Brazilian’s left-hand, to become the fastest player in Premier League history to reach 50 goals.
Ruben Dias thought he had doubled the lead with 23 minutes remaining. The Portuguese defender stabbed home from close range after the Liverpool goalkeeper fumbled Julian Alvarez’s corner, however it was adjudged that Nathan Ake fouled the shot-stopper in the process.
With the lead at one, Liverpool were always in the game and Trent Alexander-Arnold dragged Jurgen Klopp’s side level with just 10 minutes to go. The point keeps the gap between the Reds and the Citizens to one but with Arsenal’s narrow win over Brentford, the Gunners leapfrogged both clubs to the top of the table.
Here’s how the national media reacted to the North West showdown with analysis from Ian Doyle.
Oliver Holt – Mail on Sunday wrote:
“City should have won. They had the better chances. Jeremy Doku served up a moving feast of crosses from the left and they had a goal ruled out for a foul on Alisson that barely was. But they could not quite free themselves from Liverpool’s grip…
“… For all Liverpool’s resistance, the result did little to dispel the notion that City will win their fourth title in a row. The strong belief is that the longer the season goes on, and as players like Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones come back into the team, they will only get stronger and stronger.
“But Liverpool, who are doing a fine job for a team in transition, restated their credentials to be the closest challengers with this point. Arsenal may still be the team to push City closest, but Liverpool are working towards a new rhythm with a new side. They are reaching for consistency, but cannot quite locate it yet.”
Jamie Jackson – The Guardian wrote:
“This was a tale of two Alisson errors. One presaged Erling Haaland’s opener, the other allowed Rúben Dias a tap-in before – wrongly to this observer – Chris Kavanagh adjudged Manuel Akanji to have illegally challenged Liverpool’s goalkeeper.
“The referee chalked the goal off and Alisson escaped. How, who knows? VAR took a look and saw no clear and obvious error. Had the goal stood that would have been 2-0 to Manchester City after 67 minutes and in all likelihood victory and three precious points.
“It did not but even then, after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s equaliser, Alisson caused a further scare. Deep in added time, after his backline thwarted a Haaland thrust, the Brazilian hoofed the ball straight to those in sky blue inside the Liverpool half and City might have roved forward and grabbed a winner.”
Jonathan Norcroft – The Times wrote:
“A moment to silence not only the Etihad but the notion that Manchester City simply cannot be stopped. And, of course, it was provided by Liverpool, the team who have done the most, by far, to challenge City’s hegemony since Pep Guardiola arrived.
“It came late in a game that seemed destined to preserve City’s aura as a champion side who unerringly win those big encounters that decide title campaigns. And it came from Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose personal journey across this match encapsulated Liverpool’s defiance.
“City were 1-0 up, and on top, and still creating chances with ten minutes to go. Alexander-Arnold had been dealing with multiple problems, such as how to stop the often-unstoppable Jérémy Doku, and how to fulfil his role as a full back who steps into midfield against opponents so brilliant at occupying space and hitting you if you are out of position.”
Sam Wallace – The Telegraph wrote:
“A finger raised to his lips in front of the Manchester City fans, Trent Alexander-Arnold might just have been lost in the moment, or perhaps he was making a more profound point that, for all the debate around his merits, it is days like these that ultimately count.
“This was the goal that finally ended a winning City run at the Etihad that has lasted all year. Whatever space Alexander-Arnold might have left behind him on Liverpool’s right side, it mattered not for Jurgen Klopp when his great hybrid footballer galloped into position with 10 minutes left to change the course of the game.
“If it felt like this Liverpool goal came from nowhere in more ways than one, then perhaps it is because Alexander-Arnold is the man with no fixed position. One moment chasing back into the right-back position, then the next advancing to score the goal that would earn a point against the best team in Europe. Indeed, in the space of a few seconds Liverpool survived yet another incursion down their right side before turning it into the decisive attack.”
Liverpool ECHO’s Chief Liverpool writer, Ian Doyle wrote: “There are plenty of reason to be fearful when heading to the Etihad. But for Liverpool, two concerns were more pressing than most.
“Those worries, though, were misplaced as both Alexis Mac Allister and Kostas Tsimikas justified the faith shown in them by Jurgen Klopp.
“Mac Allister in particular shone in the defensive midfield role, his ability and composure on the ball giving Liverpool both an attacking platform and providing a much-needed breather when required.
“Klopp had spoken before the game of the Argentine being an example of the new type of number six, and this was a performance befitting that status. On the biggest stage, Mac Allister delivered.”
