Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late equalizer helped Liverpool to a 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
It was a frantic start to proceedings as Bernardo Silva tried to keep the midfield calm with some good, early touches.
The first real chance of the game came in the 10th minute when Phil Foden capitalized on an Alisson error but saw his effort saved by the Brazilian.
Five minutes later, Darwin Nunez got on the end of Mohamed Salah’s cross but his header was well cleared by Ederson.
However, the deadlock was broken in the 27th minute when Erling Haaland found space just outside the area to finish confidently.
After some pressure from Liverpool, it was City who could have doubled their advantage in the 40th minute when Foden cut in from the left, but his low effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar.
Into the second half and again Liverpool provided some good moments but City had the best chances.
Doku gave a slip to Mac Allister in the 52nd minute, but his cut to Julian Alvarez flew over the bar.
City thought they had doubled their lead in the 68th minute when Ruben Dias hit the back post but his effort was ruled out after Alisson was pushed.
Against the run of play, however, Liverpool equalized.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored his first goal of the season 10 minutes from time when he fired low from the edge of the box.
Man City Player Rating
Ederson – 6 – Tested from open-play and set-pieces which he looked on course to passing before Alexander-Arnold had something to say.
Nathan Aké – 6 – Did brilliantly in the build-up to City’s opener. Glided past two Liverpool players before sliding a pass through to Haaland who finished as expected.
Rúben Dias – 5.5 – Was unlucky not to double City’s lead after tapping in from close range after Alisson seemingly bungled a catch from Alvarez’s corner.
Kyle Walker – 5 – Would usually be operating in Liverpool’s half this was a more laid-back outing as City were predominantly attacking down the opposite flank.
Manuel Akanji – 5.5 – Once again filling in for John Stones and though Akanji is adept at bringing the ball forward he lacks his teammates’ dynamism.
Rodri – 7 – Pulled the strings in Liverpool’s midfield with this performance further enhancing growing thoughts of him being City’s most valuable player (even with Kevin De Bruyne around).
Jérémy Doku – 7 – Started ever so brightly down City’s left flank. “Liverpool’s right-side have just had a warning about how difficult today is going to be,” exclaimed Gary Neville on Sky Sports commentary. Doku never let up as he was a constant thorn in Alexander-Arnold’s side but was missing that final ball.
Bernardo Silva – 6.5 – Another majestic outing for the Portuguese wizard. A notable highlight came in the 42nd minute when Silva spun on the edge of his own box subsequently beginning a City counter-attack.
Julián Álvarez – 5 – Played on the periphery and could have easily found himself entering Chris Kavanagh’s after deliberately halting a Liverpool counter.
Phil Foden – 6 – A performance that deserved something more. Foden had two bites; the first was a tame effort, second forced Alisson into a decent save.
Erling Haaland – 7 – One chance is all he needs. His deadlock-breaking goal — and first against Liverpool — was number 50 in the Premier League meaning the Norwegian marksman reached a half-century faster than anyone in competition history (48 appearances – 17 games faster than Andrew Cole the previous record holder).
Liverpool player ratings
GK: Alisson – 4/10 – Dreadful day at the office for a keeper widely regarded as one of the best in the world.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7/10 – Struggled with his defensive dutes against Doku but got the important equaliser or Liverpool.
CB: Joel Matip – 5/10 – Was often dragged out to try and help combat the Doku threat but to little avail.
CB: Virgil van Dijk (c) – 8/10 – A good battle with Haaland throughout, the Norwegian did score but the Liverpool captain was excellent.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – 5/10 – Liverpool struggled across the backline and Tsimikas was no different when trying to cope with Foden’s movement.
CM: Curtis Jones – 4/10 – Didn’t get into the game and was taken off before the hour.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister – 4/10 – The sooner Liverpool can move Mac Allister further up the pitch, the better.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai – 6/10 – Worked hard but saw little of the ball in City’s half.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 8/10 – Liverpool’s best player, tried his best and created a couple of good chances. No surprise he grabbed the assist for their goal.
CF: Darwin Nunez – 6/10 – Put a shift in up front but again lacked the quality Liverpool really needed from him.
LW: Diogo Jota – 3/10 – Was barely in the game and went off before the hour with an injury.
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