
Long-awaited Premier League action returned this weekend with a match that saw treble winners Manchester City welcome adversaries Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium.
City sprang into life as they bossed possession and tried to overwhelm Trent Alexander-Arnold down the right flank.
However, despite the City pressure, the Reds had the most dangerous chance in the early exchanges as Darwin Nunez’s header forced Ederson to make a superb stop.
Alisson Becker was looking shaky and miskicked early on. The Brazilian international paid for his mistakes after Nathan Ake pounced on another poor kick, dribbled past Alexander-Arnold and set up Erling Braut Haaland to score.
It was Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal, making him the fastest man to reach that milestone, breaking Andy Cole’s record by 17 games. It was also his first goal against Liverpool in the league.
City have had joy against Alexander-Arnold in the past, and Jeremy Doku had him on toast. The Cityzens continued to pile the pressure, and Phil Foden forced Alisson to a sprawling stop.
Liverpool looked to counter but were too tentative in transition and porous in midfield as City took their 1-0 lead into the half-time lead.
City continued where they left off after the break, with Doku speeding past Liverpol’s midfield and setting up Julian Alvarez, who blasted over from a good position.
Liverpool brought on Luis Diaz and Ryan Gravenberch, looking for a flash of magic, but City were still more dangerous in front of goal.
City thought they had their second when Ruben Dias headed in an Alvarez corner, but referee Chris Kavanagh disallowed the goal for a tug on Alisson by Manuel Akanji.
Against the run of play, Liverpool managed only their second effort on target as Mohamed Salah slipped in Nunez, and he forced Ederson into another save before Haaland headed over from a free-kick. City were looking for a second goal that never came and paid for missing their chances.
The game was now stretched. After a Liverpool break that broke down, City countered, and Doku set up Haaland, but Alisson saved his effort from close range.
Liverpool went down the other end and scored on 80 as a quiet Salah set up Alexander-Arnold, who speared a shot beyond Ederson to level the scores.
It ended at 1-1 as City drew their second consecutive league match while Liverpool have drawn two of their last three.
Manchester City vs Liverpool Player Ratings
Manchester City

Ederson (7.5/10) – Ederson made some terrific saves to keep his side in the game. His passing was crisp as usual, and he helped set up City attacks.
Kyle Walker (7/10) – The severely underrated right-back made Diogo Jota ineffective with his superb defending. Walker closed Jota/Diaz down fast enough and controlled the space behind him to prevent Liverpool’s famous long balls and diagonals.
Manuel Akanji (7.5/10) – Akanji provided impeccable cover for Ake up against Salah and was tactically brilliant, veering into midfield to help his side build out from the back.
Ruben Dias (6.5/10) – The sturdy centre-back got dragged into some uncomfortable areas by Darwin Nunez, but he managed to hold his own against the Uruguayan striker.
Nathan Ake (8/10) – Ake played at left-back and shut the dangerous Salah down. He also picked up an assist with excellent play in the final third that belies his natural position.
Bernardo Silva (8/10) – Pep Guardiola’s diminutive dynamite was at his dazzling best against the Merseyside club. He linked midfield to attack excellently and dovetailed into the box when he needed to. Majestic!
Rodri (7.5/10) – Rodri helped prevent some Liverpool attacks from becoming problems, cutting the attacks down with impressive positioning. He orchestrated the build-up phase for City as usual.
Phil Foden (7/10) – Foden had some nice moments but was not as influential in the game as he’d have hoped.
Jeremy Doku (9/10) – MOTM – Many expected Alexander-Arnold to struggle against the rapid winger, and boy did he struggle. Doku torched the Liverpool defender and still managed to find the final pass on several occasions. What an impressive outing!
Erling Haaland (8/10) – The Norwegian was pumped from the start and took his goal ruthlessly. He worked hard for his side throughout the game and added another record to his illustrious name.
Julian Alvarez (5/10) – Alvarez looked off the pace today with heavy touches and a general sluggishness which can be put down to his international travels with the Argentine national team.
Liverpool

Alisson Becker (4/10) – The goalkeeper looked shaky at every point today. His passing and handling were poor. His kicking managed to somehow look worse. Horrible showing.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10) – He may have scored the goal to rescue a point for his side today, but he was dreadful on the other side of the ball, defending loosely for the opener while looking penetrable every time Doku had the ball.
Joel Matip (7/10) – Haaland stressed him a few times, but he kept his composure. He used his experience and superb ball-playing ability to bring the ball out from the back.
Virgil Van Dijk (6.5/10) – His distribution was shaky a few times, but he managed to recover and had a solid game against City’s barrage of attacks.
Kostas Tsimikas (6.5/10) – Tsimikas had a few difficult moments against Foden but managed to make him less dangerous. He made a few nice forrays forward, but they missed the thrust of Andy Robertson.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10) – The Hungarian tried hard to make things happen, but it was not his day, as he could not find the right weight on his passes. City overwhelmed him in midfield.
Alexis Mac Allister (5/10) – Mac Allister was also overwhelmed in midfield as he struggled to protect his backline, and City found space behind his screening in the centre.
Curtis Jones (5/10) – He did not have the sharpest showing, especially in the first half. He was slow on the ball and did not make the right decisions. Came off after an ineffective display that drew ire from his manager, Jurgen Klopp.
Mohamed Salah (7/10) – The Egyptian was barely in this game for the most part but still managed to provide a pivotal assist for the crucial equaliser.
Darwin Nunez (6.5/10) – He worked hard for Liverpool today and ran himself into the ground looking for final passes that never came. He made the most of the time he was on the pitch.
Diogo Jota (5/10) – He was inconspicuous for most of the game as he struggled to get going against a very attentive Walker. He was removed in the second half after an average showing.
Substitutes
Luis Diaz (5/10)
Ryan Gravenberch (6/10)
Harvey Elliott (N/A)
Cody Gakpo (N/A)
Wataru Endo (N/A)

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