Manchester Metropolis fights again twice in thrilling 2-2 draw at Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, England – Manchester Metropolis got here from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in a breathless and pulsating Premier League encounter at Anfield on Sunday.

All 4 objectives got here in a second half full of the high-quality, high-tempo, end-to-end soccer that makes the Premier League so well-liked globally.

Sadio Mane had put Liverpool forward earlier than Phil Foden equalized just for Mohamed Salah to revive the house aspect’s benefit with an exquisite solo purpose.

However Kevin De Bruyne’s 81st-minute equalizer ensured the groups shared the factors and left Liverpool in second place on 15 factors, one behind leaders Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola’s Metropolis is in third spot on 14 factors, degree with Manchester United, Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion.

“What a recreation. That’s the rationale (over) the final years Man Metropolis and Liverpool are at all times there as a result of we attempt to play on this method. Sadly, we couldn’t win — however we didn’t lose,” stated the Spaniard.

“That’s why the Premier League is the perfect. It was nice, actually nice.”

Metropolis will look again with remorse on their failure to not make extra of their first-half domination when the guests toyed with Juergen Klopp’s aspect for the 20 minutes earlier than the interval.

James Milner, filling in for Trent Alexander Arnold at right-back, had a torrid half, confronted with Phil Foden and Jack Grealish and receiving little assist from his teammates.

A exceptional piece of mazy dribbling from Bernardo Silva created an opportunity for Foden within the twenty first minute however his shot was straight at Alisson who parried the ball.

Metropolis felt it ought to have had a penalty when Milner appeared to push Foden within the again however the attraction was waved away by referee Paul Tierney — the primary of a collection of selections which infuriated Guardiola.

Foden was inflicting Liverpool fixed issues and De Bruyne ought to have discovered the goal with a diving header from his cross to the again publish.

Decided Reds

One way or the other Liverpool survived to the break with out conceding they usually got here out for the second half decided to shift the momentum within the recreation.

They did simply that once they grabbed the lead within the 59th minute as Salah skipped away from Joao Cancelo and threaded the ball into the trail of the sprinting Mane who confidently fired previous goalkeeper Ederson.

However Metropolis was degree 10 minutes later when Gabriel Jesus lower in from the precise, taking 4 Liverpool defenders out of the sport, earlier than discovering Foden who drilled the ball into the far, backside nook of the web.

Neither aspect was within the temper to accept a degree with the house followers roaring on their workforce and Metropolis sensing there have been extra alternatives to come back.

The purpose that restored Liverpool’s lead was one in all uncommon high quality — Salah twisting and turning into the field to lose Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte earlier than firing residence for the seventh straight recreation in all competitions, the Egyptian exhibiting the deft contact, sharp motion and medical ending which have made him such a crowd favorite.

However as soon as extra Metropolis responded, the influential Foden once more discovering area on the left however, this time, cleverly pulling the ball again to the sting of the field for Kevin De Bruyne whose curling shot took a slight deflection off Joel Matip and beat Alisson.

There was nonetheless time for an excellent piece of defending from Metropolis midfielder Rodri, whose very good block stored out a goal-bound effort from Fabinho after Ederson had dropped a cross.

Klopp made no try and sugar-coat his workforce’s first-half show.

“We had been too passive with and with out the ball and performed proper into Metropolis’s fingers. That was the worst half now we have performed in opposition to them,” he stated.

“I used to be greater than happy after I heard the whistle for halftime as a result of we needed to alter lots of issues and we did.

“Second half was fully completely different. If we solely performed the second half I might have beloved to have received however with the primary half I’m proud of the purpose,” he stated.

RELATED STORIES

Learn Subsequent

For suggestions, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.