Liverpool resumed their Premier League programme with a hard-earned point at champions Manchester City on Saturday.
Trent Alexander-Arnold netted an equaliser 10 minutes from time as the Reds came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw. The result means Jurgen Klopp’s men remain firmly in the early running at the top of the Premier League table and have lost only one of their last 24 top-flight matches.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at the Etihad.
Not since the days of his fellow Uruguayan Luis Suarez have Liverpool possessed such an irritating – well, for opponents at any rate – player as Darwin Nunez. And even before his post-match touchline spat with Pep Guardiola, the striker was provoking the Etihad.
Much has been made of Alexander-Arnold putting his finger to his lips to shush the home crowd after driving home Liverpool’s late leveller.
But just as amusing/annoying (depending on your support) was the knowing look Nunez directed towards the City supporters as he helped celebrate the goal. Never change, Darwin.
Trent has a fan
It seemed not everyone associated with City inside the Etihad was too perturbed by Alexander-Arnold’s strike.
As the Liverpool player issued his response to the home support – many of whom appeared to be using their fingers to denote how many goals the right-back had just scored – one steward was caught on camera looking at Alexander-Arnold with a beaming, almost adoring smile on his face.
And, to be fair, it was the exact same reaction from Guardiola as he motioned to embrace the Reds man after the final whistle. They know.
No Silva lining
If Nunez wants to learn how to be a wind-up merchant par excellence, there’s no better example than Bernardo Silva, whose undoubted talent is matched only by his sheer nuisance value.
And the Portuguese pot-stirrer was at it again on Saturday, claiming for free-kicks when appearing to stumble over blades of grass and generally irking the visitors.
Indeed, even referee Chris Kavanagh decided he’d had enough in the closing moments when one complaint too many saw Silva go into the book. Needless to say, the City man didn’t take it well. At all.
City show-off slumps
City have certainly had plenty of which to be proud – on the pitch, at least – in recent times, having claimed the treble last season and then the UEFA Super Cup.
And they made a point before the game of parading huge banners on the turf emblazoned with each item of silverware they currently have in the trophy room.
However, it would surely have had greater impact against a club that hadn’t already won all those trophies multiple times. The travelling Kop barely batted an eyelid.
