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Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Liverpool in what was an exciting Premier League fixture at the Etihad Stadium tonight. Mohamed Salah drew first blood for the visitors after converting a penalty in the 13th minute before Gabriel Jesus pulled the hosts level in the 31st minute. Kevin De Bruyne missed a golden opportunity to put City in the driver's seat after missing from the spot in the 42nd minute.
The first 45 minutes saw some of the best football played in the league so far this season with both sides attacking with great intensity and fighting for every single loose ball. Jurgen Klopp opted to start both Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino in a very attacking lineup and took the lead in just the 13th minute after Sadio Mane went down in the box under Kyle Walker's challenge. Mohamed Salah converted the subsequent spot-kick for the visitors.
Pep Guardiola's men hit back with a slick passing sequence in the 31st minute as De Bruyne found Jesus, whose elegant twist inside the box helped shake off Trent Alexander-Arnold and put the ball over the line past Alisson. Kevin De Bruyne missed a potentially match-winning penalty just three minutes before the break, as VAR awarded City a spot-kick after his cross struck Liverpool defender Joe Gomez's arm.
The second half proved to be a little dull in comparison to the first, as the intensity dropped with the worsening of the weather. Ederson's important save from Jota at the near post was the best piece of action in the second half.
As Manchester City and Liverpool both move up a spot in the standings after this draw before the international break, here we present the five major talking points from the game.
#5 Liverpool's injury crisis worsens after Trent Alexander-Arnold joins the list
Jurgen Klopp might be a relieved man having secured a draw against Manchester City tonight but he will be worried about the fact that another one of his first-team defenders in Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up an injury. The Liverpool right-back was forced off with a calf problem, early in the second half.
The German coach is already without the services of Fabinho and star defender Virgil Van Dijk. The addition of the England right-back to the list might force him to utilize inexperienced defenders Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips in the upcoming fixtures.
Alexander-Arnold works very hard on the right flank and is actively involved in setting up goals for his side. His set-piece skills also come in handy and everyone at the Merseyside club will be hoping that his calf injury is not serious.
#4 Starting Jota and Firmino both did not work out for Klopp
Jurgen Klopp made the 'brave decision' to start all four of his attackers against Manchester City tonight. He explained his decision by saying that against a strong side like the Sky Blues, one has to be brave and that he wanted quality in all areas of the pitch.
We already know that Mane and Salah are undisputed first choice at Liverpool but the question remained as to who should be the third attacker given that summer signing Diogo Jota has been in fine form while Firmino has struggled to make an impact this season.
In tonight's game, with Jota and Firmino playing out of position in a 4-2-3-1 formation, they did not have much of an impact on the outcome. Neither of the two forwards could manage a single key pass over 90 minutes. Firmino was taken off just before the hour-mark while Jota stayed on and registered just one shot on target.
It makes sense to start only one of them in a false nine role, a position in which they have enjoyed a lot more success. Perhaps Klopp and Liverpoo would be better served by bringing one of them off the bench.
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#3 The first half intensity dissipated after the restart
The way both teams played for the initial 45 minutes, despite the downpour in Manchester tonight, promised an action-packed second half. However, the fans were left disappointed as chances were scarce for either side in the second half.
The game got off to a great start with Liverpool's fearsome quartet of Salah, Mane, Firmino, and Jota in the limelight. The visitors attacked in numbers and a poor challenge from Walker on Mane handed Liverpool a penalty in the 13th minute, which Salah confidently dispatched into the back of the net.
Manchester City's response to the goal was not immediate but the way they were moving the ball it was only a matter of time before they found the equaliser. The home side finally got one in the 31st minute, through Gabriel Jesus. Just 10 minutes later, City could've gone ahead but De Bruyne missed from the spot and the first half came to an end.
Though City dominated the possession in the second half, they failed to move into dangerous positions. Nonetheless, they had the best chance of the half when Joao Cancelo's lobbed pass found Jesus with ample time and space in the Liverpool box only for him to head it way off target.
#2 Joel Matip stars on return from injury
Virgil Van Dijk's absence at the heart of the defense for the next few months will be a huge headache for Jurgen Klopp. However, the return of Joel Matip to the squad and his impressive performance tonight provides Liverpool with a glimmer of hope that they will not be handicapped in the defensive department.
No Liverpool player made more clearances, tackles, or interceptions than Matip tonight. The Cameroon international made three tackles, three clearances, and an interception. Impressively, not a single Manchester City player managed to dribble past the former Schalke defender. The Reds are now unbeaten in 32 league games when the centre-back has started, with their last defeat coming back in January 2018.
#1 Kevin De Bruyne's penalty miss turned out to be a costly mistake for Manchester City
Manchester City were handed a golden opportunity to grab a precious one-goal lead in the first half when VAR awarded them a penalty in the 42nd minute after Kevin De Bruyne's cross hit Gomez on the arm. Having equalised in the 31st minute, the penalty just 11 minutes later came as a blessing for them.
De Bruyne, who bagged the assist for Gabriel Jesus' equaliser stepped up to take the penalty but missed from the spot. The midfielder sent Alisson the wrong way but watched on in despair as his shot went inches wide of the left post.
The Belgian also had four shots off-target in the match, as he tried his luck from distance on numerous occasions. More surprisingly, De Bruyne had a poor pass completion rate of 76 percent. An unusually sloppy performance from a player known for his composed distribution.
Also Read: Borussia Dortmund 2-3 Bayern Munich: 5 Talking points | Bundesliga 2020-21
