Having completely outperformed Liverpool in the first half, holding their nerve, composure, playing the game and the football they would’ve wanted and are used to playing, reigning champs Manchester City will have been disappointed to go in to the changing rooms only leading their challengers 2-1 when a true reflection of the Blues’ domination would’ve seen them ahead by two or three goals and the contest – and the title – out of sight.
Still, Liverpool, rattled, playing poorly, with their most reliable players – Alisson Becker and Fabinho – looking particularly ropy, hung in there, doing what they’ve been doing since the New Year, which is rely on determination, willpower and having the gumption to take chances when they present themselves.
Thus, City having gone ahead after five minutes – a deflected Kevin De Bruyne shot bouncing wickedly off the surface and giving Alisson no chance – were pegged back within seven minutes after some superb build up play, involving Thiago Alcantara, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, concluded with the Reds’ right-back on the City goal line knocking the ball back into the path of Diogo Jota who scuffed his shot but still managed to squeeze it underneath Ederson, who may be disappointed he didn’t manage to keep it out.
Reds’ fans must have hoped that equalising so soon after going behind would’ve settled Liverpool, but this wasn’t the case. Rather, Reds’ play continued to be slack and wayward as Manchester City cut through the Liverpool defence at will, with cross-field passes and through balls, looking permanently dangerous and superior to their opponents.
It seemed only a matter of time before the league leaders restored their lead and, indeed, on 36 minutes, a cross from the City left by Joao Cancelo caught Alexander-Arnold, finding himself in the left-back position, off guard and Gabriel Jesus snuck in to knock the ball over the advancing Alisson into the roof of the net.
It was no more than City deserved and Liverpool could have no complaints going into half time behind.
Liverpool’s resilience and good fortune were rewarded within the first minute of the second half when good play down the right between Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson ended with a sublime little pass from Mo Salah into the path of Sadio Mané, who firmly clipped the ball over the City stopper.
For the next 10 minutes, Liverpool were in the ascendancy and looked as if they had enough to overwhelm City going forward. But it was City who scored the next goal, Raheem Sterling, having been put through by man-of-the-match De Bruyne, tucked the ball under Alisson. Fortunately for Liverpool, a VAR review found the City striker was marginally offside when he received the pass and the goal was ruled out.
Substitutions, fouls and nerves conspired to put a dampener on the game for the last 20-25 minutes with neither side managing to maintain sufficient pressure to break down the other team.
The best chance was the game’s last, after Riyad Mahrez was put through, again by De Bruyne. The Algerian went for a chip over Alisson but got too much on the ball, which went sailing over the bar.
Liverpool will be relieved not to have lost the game, even if their need to win was greater, given that they were a point behind City at the start of the day. Conversely, City will be upset that having been the better side, created the better chances, they weren’t able to win this game and take a firm grip on the title.
Still, with seven games to go in the league, City have the easier run-in, which must make them favourites to go on and retain their title. On today’s performances, it will be deserved. Liverpool have been on an extraordinary run to get back in the chase but fell short today when it really mattered.
Next Saturday, the two sides meet again in the FA Cup semi-final and Liverpool will look to play better and have to play to better to progress to the final.
Before that matchup, Liverpool have the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie against Benfica to contend with, though they do go into it as heavy favourites, having won the first game 3-1.
Still, Liverpool, rattled, playing poorly, with their most reliable players – Alisson Becker and Fabinho – looking particularly ropy, hung in there, doing what they’ve been doing since the New Year, which is rely on determination, willpower and having the gumption to take chances when they present themselves.
Thus, City having gone ahead after five minutes – a deflected Kevin De Bruyne shot bouncing wickedly off the surface and giving Alisson no chance – were pegged back within seven minutes after some superb build up play, involving Thiago Alcantara, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, concluded with the Reds’ right-back on the City goal line knocking the ball back into the path of Diogo Jota who scuffed his shot but still managed to squeeze it underneath Ederson, who may be disappointed he didn’t manage to keep it out.
Reds’ fans must have hoped that equalising so soon after going behind would’ve settled Liverpool, but this wasn’t the case. Rather, Reds’ play continued to be slack and wayward as Manchester City cut through the Liverpool defence at will, with cross-field passes and through balls, looking permanently dangerous and superior to their opponents.
It seemed only a matter of time before the league leaders restored their lead and, indeed, on 36 minutes, a cross from the City left by Joao Cancelo caught Alexander-Arnold, finding himself in the left-back position, off guard and Gabriel Jesus snuck in to knock the ball over the advancing Alisson into the roof of the net.
It was no more than City deserved and Liverpool could have no complaints going into half time behind.
Liverpool’s resilience and good fortune were rewarded within the first minute of the second half when good play down the right between Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson ended with a sublime little pass from Mo Salah into the path of Sadio Mané, who firmly clipped the ball over the City stopper.
For the next 10 minutes, Liverpool were in the ascendancy and looked as if they had enough to overwhelm City going forward. But it was City who scored the next goal, Raheem Sterling, having been put through by man-of-the-match De Bruyne, tucked the ball under Alisson. Fortunately for Liverpool, a VAR review found the City striker was marginally offside when he received the pass and the goal was ruled out.
Substitutions, fouls and nerves conspired to put a dampener on the game for the last 20-25 minutes with neither side managing to maintain sufficient pressure to break down the other team.
The best chance was the game’s last, after Riyad Mahrez was put through, again by De Bruyne. The Algerian went for a chip over Alisson but got too much on the ball, which went sailing over the bar.
Liverpool will be relieved not to have lost the game, even if their need to win was greater, given that they were a point behind City at the start of the day. Conversely, City will be upset that having been the better side, created the better chances, they weren’t able to win this game and take a firm grip on the title.
Still, with seven games to go in the league, City have the easier run-in, which must make them favourites to go on and retain their title. On today’s performances, it will be deserved. Liverpool have been on an extraordinary run to get back in the chase but fell short today when it really mattered.
Next Saturday, the two sides meet again in the FA Cup semi-final and Liverpool will look to play better and have to play to better to progress to the final.
Before that matchup, Liverpool have the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie against Benfica to contend with, though they do go into it as heavy favourites, having won the first game 3-1.
