Ranking Liverpool's 5 best players in 2-2 draw against Manchester City | Premier League 2021-22

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Liverpool and Manchester City played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Sunday
Liverpool and Manchester City played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Sunday

Liverpool vs Manchester City lived up to its expectations once again as the two Premier League heavyweights put on a show at Anfield. The Reds were held to a 2-2 draw by the Cityzens, with all four goals coming in a cracking second half.

Following a goalless first half which saw just one shot on target from both teams, the game burst into life after the break. Sadio Mane put Liverpool ahead thanks to a pin-point assist from Mohamed Salah before Phil Foden's driven shot saw Manchester City pull level.

Mo Salah then took matters into his own hands and scored a scintillating solo goal to restore Liverpool's lead in the 75th minute. The Egyptian left several Manchester City players on the floor as he eased past them and slotted in to send The Kop buzzing.

The joy did not last long as Kevin de Bruyne equalized within five minutes with a left-footed curler. Alisson and Liverpool's defenders could do very little about the Belgian's shot as it had insane power, curl, and accuracy.

Both Liverpool and Manchester City orchestrated several attacks, and the game was wide open in the last 10 minutes. However, neither could find the back of the net again. The two teams ended up sharing points, leaving the Reds in second place in the Premier League table, while the Cityzens sit in third place.

Here are Liverpool's top 5 players from the 2-2 draw with Manchester City.


5 Liverpool players who impressed against Manchester City

#5 - Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane scored the opening goal of the Liverpool v Manchester City game
Sadio Mane scored the opening goal of the Liverpool v Manchester City game

Sadio Mane had a decent game but is still far from the standards he set in previous seasons.

The Senegal star scored the opening goal of the game, and it was a well-placed shot to beat Ederson. However, he did keep giving the ball away regularly and was unable to get past Kyle Walker on most occasions today.

Sunday's performance was one of Sadio Mane's best this season, but he needs to build on this and be more confident with the ball.


#4 - Alisson

Alisson Becker was impressive between the sticks for Liverpool
Alisson Becker was impressive between the sticks for Liverpool

Alisson had no chance of saving either of Manchester City's goals but did well to keep Phil Foden out multiple times in the first half. His positioning was exceptional, and it troubled the Cityzens a lot as they could not get past him despite several half-decent attempts.

One poor clearance was the only flaw in the Brazilian's game. However, that has become a part of his game in the last few months, and it is something he makes up for by making good saves.

#3 - Joel Matip

Liverpool's Joel Matip made things difficult for Manchester City
Liverpool's Joel Matip made things difficult for Manchester City

Joel Matip was easily Liverpool's best defender on Sunday. He put on a solid display and did not let Manchester City have free shots on goal. The 30-year-old was not helped much by Virgil van Dijk, who, by his standards, had an off day on the pitch.

Matip made things difficult for Manchester City as he drove ahead with the ball and played as an extra midfielder. Pep Guardiola's men were left confused, and it helped Liverpool make things up in midfield as Jordan Henderson was committing way too many mistakes.


#2 - Andy Robertson

Andy Robertson put in a great defensive shift for Liverpool against Manchester City
Andy Robertson put in a great defensive shift for Liverpool against Manchester City

Like most Liverpool players, Andy Robertson had a decent first half against Manchester City. However, he could not create chances or make the runs he wanted down the flank, as Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker pinned him back.

Things were better in the second half, and he was able to attack more. However, his deliveries were poor. He could have done a lot of things better in attack, but there cannot be any complaints about his performance in defense.


#1 - Mohamed Salah

Several pundits consider Mohamed Salah to be the best player in the world right now, and today's game showed exactly why.

Last week, former Liverpool forward Dean Saunders rightly said:

"Right now, as we speak, who's better than him [Mohamed Salah]? Eight goals in eight games from right wing, he's not playing down the middle. He just looks unstoppable. There's Messi and Ronaldo, who are on their own, but right now they're not as good as Salah."

Mo Salah ran the game in the second half. After a relatively quiet first half, the Egyptian showed his qualities after the break and set up Sadio Mane for the opening goal with a brilliant through ball.

If that wasn't enough, he took matters into his own hands when Liverpool failed to break Manchester City's defense and scored a stunning solo goal. The goal is easily set to be nominated for the Puskas award this year, and it would be a surprise if it does not end up in the top 10.

Unfortunately, Salah's efforts could not help Liverpool win the game as Manchester City equalized minutes later.

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