Man City vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Riyad Mahrez wastes huge late chance
Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool: Follow the reaction from a thrilling draw in the Premier League as the leaders stay ahead in the title race
Manchester City and Liverpool shared the points in a thrilling draw at the Etihad as the visitors equalised twice to keep the title race alive, despite the Premier League leaders maintaining their slender advantage.
It was City who struck first in a lightening start as Kevin De Bruyne skipped past Fabinho and fired a deflected effort past goalkeeper Alisson inside five minutes, but the Reds responded well and Diogo Jota pulled them level less than 10 minutes later.
Gabriel Jesus, a surprise inclusion in Pep Guardiola’s team, fired the hosts back in front before the break as he latched onto the end of Joao Cancelo’s excellent delivery. Liverpool hit back again, though, as Sadio Mane finished Mohamed Salah’s brilliant pass to equalise just 47 seconds after the restart.
Liverpool were much improved after the break but were handed a lifeline when Raheem Sterling’s goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, before Salah saw a curling effort deflect wide. Riyad Mahrez hit the post with a late free kick, before wasting a huge chance as the breathless contest ended level.
Follow all the reaction and updates as Manchester City and Liverpool shared the points in this potential Premier League decider:
Manchester City maintain title lead but Liverpool keep race alive in thrilling draw
A manic and pulsating game that somehow ended all level, without a peak, but one that does actually change things at the top.
Liverpool 2-2 draw at Manchester City means they no longer have the title in their hands, and now need a favour elsewhere.
Pep Guardiola’s side take better control of the title race, as they remain a point ahead, but might wonder whether they could have won it there and then. They certainly could have won it a few times over in the first half, only for Liverpool to force their way back - and keep themselves in the race - with an impressive display of resilience.
In that sense, a game that had been fairly built up as the pinnacle of football right now didn’t itself have a final lift. Riyad Mahrez put his tantalising late chip too far over the bar.
We’re still waiting for the real crescendo. Perhaps that’s for the best, and will force this race to even better levels. We may again go to the last day.
Manchester City maintain title lead but Liverpool keep race alive in thrilling draw
Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool: The Premier League leaders remain a point ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side, who avoided defeat after equalising twice in an enthralling contest
Reaction from Jordan Henderson
Liverpool’s captain, Jordan Henderson also gave his thoughts on the game telling Sky Sports after the match: “It was an intense game which we knew it would be. We knew it would be tough but we wanted to give it everything and get the win. We couldn’t do that but we didn’t lose. It’s not the end of the world, we are still in the race, so positives and negatives.
“I think we started OK but we were a little hectic at times. Of course we knew we would come under pressure early on, they are a fantastic team. I felt we settled down a bit and caused them problems. It’s pleasing how we twice came from behind. We want to do better of course.
“You have to keep going, you have to be prepared to suffer. You have to stay positive, stay on the front foot and not give them time. It worked at times, at others we can defend better.
“We’ll have to wait and see. They don’t drop many points, we know that. We have to concentrate on ourselves and win as many games as possible. If they slip up we have to be there right behind them. We’ll keep going until the end.”
Kevin De Bruyne speaking to Sky Sports
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring today and gave his reaction to Sky Sports after the game.
“It was hard. To be fair I think we played excellent.” he said. “The way we played was very good and we should score more. It is what it is. It was a great game.
“I think it should [be more before half-time] but we were still winning. The way the second half started is the disappointment. I think we played great and created enough chances to win the game.”
De Bruyne was asked about whether City rued Riyad Mahrez’s missed chance at the end of the game and replied: “It’s a great chance. Riyad chose to chip and if it goes in it’s a wonder goal.
“Today we played very well, I think we had the upper hand. This is the way we need to play the rest of the season. It’s similar. I know people said whoever wins gets the title. But it’s too hard, the schedule is too tough for both teams to win every game, but we will try.”
Player ratings from potential Premier League title decider between Man City and Liverpool
Manchester City and Liverpool shared the points in a thrilling draw at the Etihad as the visitors equalised twice to keep the title race alive, despite the Premier League leaders maintaining their slender advantage.
It was City who struck first in a lightening start as Kevin De Bruyne skipped past Fabinho and fired a deflected effort past goalkeeper Alisson inside five minutes, but the Reds responded well and Diogo Jota pulled them level less than 10 minutes later.
Gabriel Jesus, a surprise inclusion in Pep Guardiola’s team, fired the hosts back in front before the break as he latched onto the end of Joao Cancelo’s excellent delivery. Liverpool hit back again, though, as Sadio Mane finished Mohamed Salah’s brilliant pass to equalise just 47 seconds after the restart.
Liverpool were much improved after the break but were handed a lifeline when Raheem Sterling’s goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, before Salah saw a curling effort deflect wide. Riyad Mahrez hit the post with a late free kick, before wasting a huge chance as the breathless contest ended level.
Here’s how the players rated at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City vs Liverpool: Player ratings from Premier League title clash
Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool: Player ratings from a thrilling clash in the Premier League title race
Premier League title race: who has the best fixtures in the run-in – Manchester City or Liverpool?
After initially appearing to be done and dusted by Christmas, it now seems as though there may be a Premier League title race after all.
Manchester City have hardly put a foot wrong since the start of the season, dropping points in just three games since the end of October, but Liverpool are right up behind them.
After a difficult winter, Jurgen Klopp’s side have dragged themselves to within one point of the defending champions and remain there after their 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.
The fate of the Premier League title is in Manchester City’s hands but how hard is their run to the end of the season?
Who has the best fixtures in the title race run-in – Manchester City or Liverpool?
Where will the title be won and lost?
Man City 2 - 2 Liverpool
Kevin De Bruyne has scored six goals in his last six appearances for Manchester City, while he’s netted four in a row across all competitions for the first time for the club.
Man City 2 - 2 Liverpool
Sadio Mane rescues a point for Liverpool with his second half goal against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Full-time: Man City 2 - 2 Liverpool
90+4 mins: It’s all over! Nothing to separate the teams and the points are shared. Manchester City remain one point ahead of Liverpool in the race for the title.
Their fate is still in their hands and with an arguably easier run in they should be favourites to lift the Premier League trophy again at the end of the season.
Man City 2 - 2 Liverpool
90+3 mins: Chance! Fabinho gives the ball away in midfield and De Bruyne slides a great pass past Van Dijk into Mahrez. He brings the ball into the box as Alisson comes out to close him down. Mahrez tries to win it for City by chipping it over the keeper but there’s not enough dip on the effort and the ball lands on top of the net!
Man City 2 - 2 Liverpool
90 mins: Close! Manchester City win a free kick about 25-yards out right in front of goal. Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez stand over it and it’s Mahrez who shoots. He curls his effort around the wall but starts it too far out and hits the outside of the post!
Four minutes of added time to play.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies