Manchester City faced off against bitter rivals Liverpool in another highly anticipated Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium. Coming into this match, Liverpool held a slender one point lead over second place Manchester City in the league table. Both teams desperately needed the win to stay on track for the title.
The game started off with fierce intensities as both teams battled aggressively for control of midfield. Chances were at a premium in the early going as City and Liverpool defenses held firm, allowing little space in behind. 裡 Riyad Mahrez looked most likely to make something happen for City, twisting and turning on the ball and floating in dangerous crosses, but Liverpool managed to clear the danger. City's high press was giving the Liverpool back line fits, not allowing them to play out with ease.
After 20 minutes, City finally cracked through as Kevin De Bruyne played a beautiful diagonal ball in behind the Liverpool defense for Gabriel Jesus, who took a touch and slotted home calmly past Alisson. City were rewarded for their early dominance with a crucial opening goal. 聾 Liverpool responded by picking up the tempo, playing direct balls into the box looking to get Mo Salah and Sadio Mané involved more. Towards the end of the first half Joao Cancelo had to clear a certain goalbound effort from Salah off the line to maintain City's advantage at the break.
The second half saw Liverpool throw everything at City, pressing and probing in search of an equalizer. On the counter though City continued to threaten on the break, as Jesus rounded Alisson only to see his shot cleared off the line. 😮 With time ticking away, Liverpool upped the pressure further and finally found a breakthrough as Roberto Firmino nodded home a perfect cross from Konstantinos Tsimikas. City and Liverpool were now locked in a dramatic title race tussle. Both sides had chances to steal all three points late on, but in the end had to settle for a point apiece, with the entertaining contest ending all square. 欄 An action packed clash saw the title rivals share the spoils in a crucial encounter with huge implications in this season's Premier League. The title race remains beautifully poised as the season heads into its decisive final stages. - https://livesport365.live/match/manchester-city-vs-liverpool-1629318646.html