Manchester City 1, Liverpool 1
Erling Haaland scored but Manchester City were held by a late Trent Alexander-Arnold goal in a tight Premier League game at the Etihad.
Haaland scored his 50th Premier League goal in only 48 games – far faster than the next player on the list – Andrew Cole – who reached that landmark after 65 games.
But City paid for not taking their chances and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late clinical finish levelled the scores at the Etihad.
The draw meant City, who edged the game on possession, chances created, and shots taken, missed out on the chance to equal Sunderland’s consecutive home win league record which has stood for over a century as they failed to win a Premier League game for the first time this calendar year after 23 straight wins at home.
Jeremy Doku was City’s early pace-setter – with exciting runs getting people out of their seats but other City players played their part.
Phil Foden was gifted a poor pass by Alisson but shot straight back at the Liverpool keeper.
Ederson had to save from Darwin Nunez but it was City who deservedly took the lead after a miskicked clearance by Alisson went to Nathan Ake and the Dutchman went past two Liverpool players before he slipped in Haaland who powered the ball past the hapless Brazilian who got something on it but could not prevent Haaland’s 19th goal of the season.
Julian Alvarez blazed over in the second half after Jerry Doku’s cut back left him with a free shot but City began to take more control of the ball after the hour mark.
Ruben Dias’ goal from a corner was ruled out for a foul by Manuel Akanji on Alisson – the Swiss defender had his hand on the Liverpool goalkeeper who was relieved at the intervention by VAR.
With the game poised in the final quarter City should have doubled their lead when Doku cut the ball back to Haaland but Alisson made the save and Liverpool counter attacked.
The move ended in Trent Alexander-Arnold was given space to shoot after Mo Salah gave him the ball and he equalised from 15 yards out with 10 minutes to go with a low shot.
City regained control of the game in added time with Alisson hobbling after sustaining a late injury and all Liverpool’s subs used but Haaland’s header in the 98th minute went agonisingly wide of the back post.
Embed from Getty ImagesPLAYER RATINGS – Manchester City 1, Liverpool 1
Ederson: 8. Great save to deny Darwin Nunez header from Liverpool attack and had to be aware of the lively striker who had chances throughout the game. Saved a header by Virgil van Dijk in the second half but could do little about the Liverpool equaliser.
Kyle Walker: 6. Raiding up the right flank but didn’t need to be so gung ho after the goal as Liverpool came back into the game. Slightly sloppy passing.
Manuel Akanji: 6. Nominally in the John Stones role but didn’t venture forward as much and was next to Nathan Ake in defence as extra insurance against Mo Salah.
Ruben Dias: 6. Solid defending as Liverpool came back into the game after going behind. Had a goal ruled out for a foul on Alisson.
Nathan Ake: 7. Great bit of improvisation to get the ball to Erling Haaland after he was gifted the ball by Alisson. Gave ample support to Jeremy Doku.
Rodri: 7. Putting in his usual midfield shift as City took control of that vital battle. Second half shot took a big deflection as City claimed a hand ball. Was offside as he headed over the bar from a free kick.
Julian Alvarez: 6. Looked like he had come back from a long trip to South America. Spooned a great chance over the bar after Jeremy Doku set him up with a cutback.
Bernardo Silva: 8. Usual superb control in midfield which was vital. The turn and release to set Jeremy Doku on his way in the first half was insane and he tracked back all over the pitch.
Phil Foden: 7. Great chance to break the deadlock early but shot straight at Alisson after the Liverpool keeper gave him the ball. Deflected shot in first half and sent another one narrowly wide as he imposed himself on the right flank. Faded a bit in the second half.
Jeremy Doku: 8. Got people out of their seats from the start. His movement bamboozled Trent Alexander-Arnold and several great runs including one where he almost set up Haaland. Also did a defensive shift too.
Erling Haaland: 8. Menaced the Liverpool defence without getting a clear shot until one was handed on a plate to him and he powered it through Alisson. Did his bit deeper in the pitch too and could have had a late winner.
TEAM NEWS – Manchester City 1, Liverpool 1
City were struggling with illness and fitness issues in the squad, John Stones was on the bench after resuming training following injury but Jack Grealish was ruled out with illness and was not included in the match day squad while Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic had knocks.
GOALS – Manchester City 1, Liverpool 1
Man City 1, Liverpool 0: 27. Erling Haaland broke the deadlock after a poor pass out by Alisson was intercepted by Nathan Ake who slipped the ball to the big Norwegian whose powerful shot was too hot to handle for the Brazilian keeper and rolled into the back of the net.
Man City 1, Liverpool 1: 80. Trent Alexander-Arnold with a 16 yard shot that levelled the scores after Alisson saved from Erling Haaland and the Reds counter attacked.
MATCH STATS – Manchester City 1, Liverpool 1
Man City: Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodri, Alvarez, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Doku, Haaland
Man City Subs not used: Ortega, Carson, Phillips, Stones, Gomez, Gvardiol, Bobb, Lewis
Booking: Bernardo Silva 89
Goal: Haaland 27
Liverpool: Becker, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk (C), Tsimikas, Szoboszlai (Gakpo 73), Mac Allister (Endo 85), Jones (Gravenberch 54), Salah, Nunez (Elliott 85), Jota (Diaz 54)
Liverpool Subs not used: Kelleher, Gomez, Konate, Quansah
Booked: Nunez 75 (foul on Phil Foden); Matip 86 (foul on Jeremy Doku); Endo 90+3 (foul on Jeremy Doku)
Goal: Alexander-Arnold 80
Referee: Christopher Kavanagh