Mane equalizer keeps Premier League title fight alive, LFC draw Manchester City 2-2

It was a match that was ticketed as one that could decide the Premier League champions, but there were no decisions made on Sunday. If anything, it only proved just how down to the wire this title race is going to be.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds traveled to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday just one point behind Pep Guardiola’s table-leading Manchester City squad. The two sides drew 2-2 in their last meeting back in October at Anfield and drew 2-2 again this weekend.

Liverpool came out sloppy and unsettled. Just a few minutes in, the Reds needed their goalkeeper to bail them out after allowing the Manchester squad to easily shred through the defense to give Raheem Sterling a chance at close range that Alisson was luckily able to block.

That relief would not last long, however, as the defending league champions would open the scoring just about a minute later off a free kick taken quickly, allowing Kevin de Bruyne a shot that bounced off the inside post and in. The Reds were rattled, and it showed.

Though it felt much longer for Liverpool fans, the Reds only trailed for about seven minutes before leveling the match. Andy Robertson found Trent Alexander-Arnold with a cross to the back post brilliantly tapped back by the Scouser to Diogo Jota to find the back of the net.

To the benefit of the blood pressure levels of fans of both sides, things settled for a bit after that, at least on the scoring front, but the issues for the Liverpool lineup were exceedingly evident. The backline continued to look uncharacteristically shaky, with more than a few poor passes and defensive mistakes from every member of the backfield. The midfield was even worse for wear, with Fabinho being dispossessed a number of times and Jordan Henderson making a number of questionable decisions with the ball. These issues compounded into fewer opportunities for the forwards, who weren’t making the most of what they were getting anyway.

It seemed inevitable that Manchester City would break through the cracks in the Reds squad again, and they finally did in the 37th minute. Poor defending by Alexander-Arnold left Gabriel Jesus charging in alone to receive a ball-in from Joao Cancelo and beat Alisson to take the lead for the hosts.

The halftime whistle served as a moment to breathe for Liverpool fans. Though possession percentages were about equal, with Manchester City leading 55.6% to 44.4%, it was obvious the hosts were the much more productive, comfortable team on the pitch by levels more than the close scoreline suggested.

It was also the first time the Reds have trailed at halftime in this Premier League campaign. They were going to have to fight to turn this one around.

And they came out swinging. Mohamed Salah made a beautiful pass through traffic to play in a charging Sadio Mane to score the equalizer just a few moments into the second half. For the first time in the match, it was Manchester City that looked a bit rattled.

Liverpool were given a wake-up call in the 63rd minute with Sterling scoring after beating the high press by miles. VAR quickly disallowed the goal for offsides, but it was a close one. The rest of the match proved to be a scrappy, back and forth affair, with a number of bookings and threatening chances for both sides, but no one could break the deadlock.

The match ended just as it did the last time these two sides squared off, with a 2-2 draw. The Reds remain just one point behind Manchester City in the table.

The battle is over but the war still has a ways to go. Liverpool will face their next battle in the Premier League on April 19 when they host Manchester United.

GK/Defenders

Alisson – 8

Alisson was luckily more alert than his teammates coming out of the gate, as he was called upon early, blocking a shot from a close-range Raheem Sterling. Conceded two goals after being left out to dry by his defensive line, neither of which he could be expected to save. A number of claims and saves were crucial for the Reds taking home a point on Sunday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6

Alexander-Arnold registered his 17th assist of the season on a lovely tap-back pass to Jota off the Robertson cross for the early equalizing goal. Alexander-Arnold struggled defensively, however. The most egregious error in the first half for the Scouser came on Manchester City’s second goal, in which he allowed Jesus to charge behind him straight to net uncontested to receive the Cancelo cross.

Joel Matip – 7

Matip had a handful of questionable moments on the ball, making a number of poor passes in the first half, but he came up big defensively. He finished with 7 clearances, a number of which came on extremely threatening Manchester possessions, and two interceptions. He powered forward a few times and finished with a 90% pass success.

Virgil van Dijk – 7

Virgil van Dijk performed worse than can be remembered in recent history in the first half. He looked a bit out of sorts in defending Sterling and even struggled on the ball, passing to teammates in troublesome situations leading to quick turnovers. Van Dijk looked a lot more solid in the second half defensively, including winning a crucial one-on-one with Sterling in the box. He finished with 6 clearances, 2 interceptions, and an aerial win. He was also booked for a foul on De Bruyne.

Andy Robertson – 5

Robertson had a number of good offensive passes but struggled a bit defensively. He was booked in the second half and was otherwise just sort of invisible. He finished with five clearances, was dribbled past, and dispossessed once.