Scrappy and slick, stalwart Liverpool play City to 1-1 draw

Liverpool drew 1-1 with Man City on Sunday.

Liverpool’s opening 20 minutes or so saw the Reds play Jurgen Klopp football with quick precise passing lots and lots of intensity and purpose.

They played with a sense of urgency and a strong defensive high press that threatened Pep Guardiola’s side with relentless pressure.

Finally the Reds would win a penalty in the 11th minute, which Mo Salah dispatched with panache and calm reserve after Kyle Walker fouled Sadio Mane in the box.

The Reds lined up with a different formation with Mane, Roberto Firmino and Salah up top and Diogo Jota playing central midfield in the no. 10. Joel Matip made his return to action starting next to Joe Gomez as predicted.

This proved to be a solid backline which gave Klopp and the lads the assurance to push five and sometimes six players into the final third keep City in the back foot in their end.

A few quick counters gave the Cityzens a couple of near chances and misses after the Reds goal. They looked dangerous on the counter and finally found the net in the 23rd minute when Gabriel Jesus drove the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out as he spilt the defense of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Matip.

This would comprise the bulk of the scoring for the tie, but not without another bit of VAR drama.

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Kevin de Bruyne tried a cross into the danger area, which ricocheted off Joe Gomez’s arm at the edge of the penalty box. The referee would go to the sideline monitor to check the play before awarding City the penalty.

Gomez was clearly trying to move his arm and body out of the way when he was struck by the ball. Due to the new handball rule this was a penalty, but De Bruyne uncharacteristically missed from the spot, sending his shot just wide the post in the 23rd minute.

A steady rain throughout had its own impact on the match as the field was slick and the balls passed on the ground slowed as consequence. Normally weather isn’t an issue as this is football and conditions are what they are.

With the rain, the pitch was slick, the ball was slick and slips were common; and this also affected finishing at both ends. This made for a great passing match between two exemplary disciplined teams. The midfield duels and passing prowess from both sides was a pleasure to watch. Indeed this tie was certainly easy on the eyes for spectators and fans.

Liverpool would see Trent Alexander-Arnold go down with a muscle issue of some sort in the 63rd minute, which I chalk up to the slippery conditions since he was not injured by another player in any challenge.

James Milner came on for Alexander-Arnold and played superbly. Xherdan Shaqiri replaced an ineffective Firmino in the 53rd minute and had a decent showing for the 40 remaining minutes of play.

Neither side could find a way through however and a slower box to box kind of duel ensued for the remainder of the first period after the missed penalty attempt and throughout the second frame.

Pep’s City were guilty of twice as many fouls as the Reds and there were at least two challenges that were worthy of yellow that managed to not be given. Walker in a dangerous challenge on Gini Wijnaldum in the second half could and probably should have seen red.

The Reds are in third with 17 points as they go unto the international break. A time for the lads to mend and prepare to go again with Leicester next up at Anfield. Klopp will be very pleased with his Reds and their level of play these past few weeks.

There is no shame in a draw here for Liverpool, but they will be feeling that with more clinical finishing in that first half they could easily have had three or four goals and all three points.