Liverpool and Manchester City played out a battle for the ages in an exhilarating 2-2 draw at Anfield. Mohamed Salah’s sensational strike was cancelled out by Kevin De Bruyne’s late equaliser to ensure a share of the spoils on Merseyside.
In a meeting of the winners of the last four Premier League titles, there was an unsurprising amount of mutual respect on show in the early stages. The visitors survived Liverpool’s early press to take control of the contest, dominating possession. Their best sight at goal came following a brilliant run from Bernardo Silva, evading the challenges of multiple defenders to slot in Phil Foden, but the England international saw his effort well saved by Alisson. The 21-year-old was wreaking havoc, and picked out De Bruyne at the back post but the Belgian could only power his header over the bar to ensure the game was level at Halftime.
The 'Reds’ found a new gear after the break and established a foothold in the game. A trademark lightning quick transition gave them the lead, as Salah skipped past João Cancelo to slide in Sadio Mane who slotted the ball past Ederson. The Senegalese had been attempting to run in behind Rúben Dias when his side had possession and it finally paid off to raise the roof at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola’s men regrouped and levelled the game ten minutes later. James Milner, Liverpool’s makeshift right back, had been targeted all afternoon by Foden and the goal came down his side. The youngster was played in by Gabriel Jesus and drove his effort hard and low to beat Alisson - Foden’s third goal in his last three games against Liverpool.
Machester were level for a matter of minutes before Salah scored a truly remarkable goal to restore the lead. Picking the ball up on the right, the Egyptian skipped away from Cancelo, Silva and Aymeric Laporte to finish on his weaker foot past Ederson. Salah has now scored in seven consecutive games with a goal worthy of winning any game, but it separated these two heavyweights for less than five minutes. Foden picked out De Bruyne on the edge of the box who fired at goal, only for Joel Matip to inadvertently deflect the ball into the back of his own net.
Jurgen Klopp’s men retained their unbeaten record in the Premier League, extending that record to 17 games, the longest in England’s top four divisions. While City finally found their scoring touch on the road, but were unable to keep Liverpool out at the other end. A win would’ve ended an 84-year wait for back-to-back league wins over the 'Reds’.
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