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Liverpool, Man City frustrated by draw in title clash

Liverpool, Man City frustrated by draw in title clash
Joe Gomez of Liverpool and Erling Haaland of Manchester City clash at Anfield on 10 March (Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Joe Gomez of Liverpool and Erling Haaland of Manchester City clash at Anfield on 10 March (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Liverpool and Manchester City shared a pulsating 1-1 draw in their title showdown to leave Arsenal on top of the Premier League, while Tottenham routed Aston Villa 4-0 to reignite their bid for a top four finish on Sunday.

City took the lead through John Stones' first-half strike, but Alexis Mac Allister equalised with a penalty soon after the interval at Anfield.

The result was exactly what Arsenal wanted as the Gunners retained first place, a position they earned when Kai Havertz's late header clinched a dramatic 2-1 win against Brentford on Saturday.

Arsenal are above second-placed Liverpool on goal difference, with a +7 advantage, while champions City are one point adrift of the top two, with all three teams having 10 games left.

In a title race for the ages, Arsenal will travel to City for a potentially decisive clash in both sides' next league game on March 31.

City had drawn first blood at Anfield with a clever set-piece routine in the 23rd minute.

Kevin De Bruyne hit a low corner that Stones met at the near post with a close-range finish.

Liverpool levelled in the 50th minute when City defender Nathan Ake played a suicidal back-pass that was intercepted by Darwin Nunez.

City keeper Ederson rushed off his line in a desperate bid to avert the danger, but only succeeded in catching Nunez with a reckless lunge.

Mac Allister calmly stroked the spot-kick past Ederson and in a frantic finale, City's Jeremy Doku hit the post and then escaped another penalty appeal for his high challenge on Liverpool's goalscorer.

An already seismic showdown was given extra significance by Jurgen Klopp's last top-flight meeting with City boss Pep Guardiola after his bombshell announcement that he will quit Liverpool at the end of this season.

After jousting for supremacy throughout their reigns, it was fitting that Klopp held Guardiola in a warm embrace at the final whistle of a clash that leaves the destiny of the title still in the balance.

Ange Postecoglou's side arrived at Villa Park knowing defeat to their fourth-placed rivals would have been potentially fatal to their bid to qualify for next season's Champions League.

But the north Londoners rose to the challenge with a second-half goal spree in the rain-soaked West Midlands.

James Maddison put Tottenham ahead and Brennan Johnson doubled their lead before Villa captain John McGinn was sent off for chopping down Destiny Udogie.

Son Heung-min and Timo Werner struck in stoppage time to leave fifth-placed Tottenham just two points behind Villa with a game in hand.

"We made it tough for Villa. They worked hard just to contain us. We got our rewards in the second half," Postecoglou said.

"Everyone was billing this as a do-or-die for us. I assume we're not dead yet. It means we're one game closer, just 11 games to go."

Villa are hoping to reach the Champions League for the first time since 1983, but this was a major setback to their unexpected bid for a top four finish.

"We have to control our emotions. The first two goals were crazy," Villa boss Unai Emery said.

At the London Stadium, Burnley blew a two-goal lead as Danny Ings' last-gasp equaliser rescued a 2-2 draw for West Ham.

Vincent Kompany's side climbed above Sheffield United to 19th place, but it was small consolation for squandering three points in their desperate fight for survival.

David Datro Fofana's long-range strike and an own goal by Konstantinos Mavropanos put Burnley in control by half-time.

But Lucas Paqueta reduced the deficit immediately after the interval and former Burnley striker Ings levelled in the closing minutes.

Burnley are 10 points from safety with 10 games left.

Fourth bottom Nottingham Forest failed to pull away from relegation danger as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Brighton.

Andrew Omobamidele's first-half own goal ended Brighton's three-match winless league run to lift them to eighth place.

Weekend results:

Saturday, 9 March

Manchester United 2-0 Everton 

Crystal Palace 1-1 Luton

Bournemouth 2-2 Sheffield United 

Wolves 2-1 Fulham 

Arsenal 2-1 Brentford 

Sunday, 10 March

Aston Villa 0-4 Tottenham

West Ham 2-2 Burnley 

Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City 

Monday, 11 March

Chelsea v Newcastle - 22:00


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0'
Today's referee is Michael Oliver.
0'
City have won 16 of their last 17 matches. However, Liverpool's last 56 home league matches at Anfield have seen just one defeat (43 wins).
0'
Phil Foden has scored 11 league goals this season including a brace in the Manchester Derby last weekend. Pep Guardiola called him the league's best player so far in the 2023-24 season.
0'
Mo Salah has been directly involved in 17 goals (11 scored, eight assists) in 19 appearances for Liverpool against Manchester City. He will be a huge factor later in the match.
0'
Man City subs: Ortega Moreno, Dias, Kovacic, Doku, Gomez, Gvardiol, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis
0'
Liverpool subs: Nallo, Salah, Adrian, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Robertson, Clark, McConnell, Koumas.
0'
Man City starting XI: Ederson, Walker (C), Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Alvarez, Foden, Haaland.
0'
Liverpool Starting XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez, Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister, Elliott, Nunez, Diaz.
0'
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Liverpool vs Man City at Anfield. Kickoff is at 5.45pm UK time.
1'
KICKOFF! We are underway in this huge potential title decider at Anfield. Klopp vs Guardiola, Van Dijk vs Haaland... what a clash awaits us!
2'
What a start by City. A lovely piece of wide interplay sees Rodri release De Bruyne down the right. His low cross reaches Foden but he declines to shoot and Van Dijk can make a key tackle in the area.
3'
SAVE! City again play through the Reds with ease. Bernardo Silva twists in a central area and finds Alvarez on the left. The Argentine shoots low but Kelleher can save and drag the loose ball with Haaland closing in for a rebound.
5'
And again, Foden drags Gomez deep and it opens up the right flank for De Bruyne. His cross comes into the box but the Belgian over-hits it uncharacterisically.
7'
Liverpool are now growing into the game a bit by going direct from the back via Kelleher. It's ping-pong in midfield with so many bodies in there.
8'
CHANCE! City again slice through Liverpool behind Bradley. Alvarez finds De Bruyne, who spots Kelleher off and tries a dink with lands fractionally the wrong side of the far post.
9'
It's ALL CITY! De Bruyne has a powerful shot from range with draws a save out of Kelleher. Then Foden dribbles past Gomez like he isn't there down the right but he can't get his cross towards a teammate.
12'
City are controlling things here by passing it around with little resistance from the famous Liverpool pressing. The crowd are jeering City's touches just as De Bruyne receives free between the lines but he gets his through-ball for Haaland cut out by Quansah.
13'
CLOSE! Bradley goes on a brilliant run for Liverpool down the right. Bradley works a yard against Ake and lashes a low cross into the area. Nunez slides to try to reach it but he collides with the post and looks in a bit of pain.
15'
Darwin Nunez is certainly involved. After acquainting himself with the post, he delivers a low cross and has a shot wide when the offside flag was raised.
16'
Wide! Diaz works a yards against Walker and crosses for Liverpool. It reaches the head of Nunez but he diverts it wide as the delivery was just behind him.
17'
The last five minutes have seen 64% Liverpool possession as they recover from their poor start.
18'
Block! Foden fires a shot which Quansah blocks. The Reds try to counter and Walker fouls Szoboszlai. The crowd want a yellow card but there was not much contact.
19'
OFFSIDE! Luis Diaz has the ball in the net Szoboszlai plays Darwin Nunez behind the defence and the latter squares for Diaz to tap home. The offside flag went up immediately, a clear decision for the assistant referee to make on the spot.
21'
One of the biggest things so far has been both goalkeepers giving the ball straight to their opponents. Ederson isn't as calm as usual.
23'
City again pull the Liverpool fullback out, this time Bradley, with Bernardo running to the byline. A dangerous cross comes in but Van Dijk clears ahead of Haaland.
24'
GOAL, MAN CITY, STONES, 0-1! From the resulting corner, City score from a rehearsed move. Stones runs to the near post and flicks home past Kelleher from about two yards out. Guardiola is delighted and points at his set-piece coach for praise. Clearly a weakness was identified in Gomez's near post positioning. Liverpool 0-1 Man City.
26'
Close! The Reds threaten as Nunez switches play to Diaz with Walker out of position. The latter delivers but his cross is deflected for Ederson to parry and the flag went up as Darwin Nunez had strayed offside.
28'
Diaz twice tries to dribble past his opponent but Walker stands firm. From the first unsuccessful dribble attempt, City counter but Van Dijk cuts out a killer pass to De Bruyne with a fine sliding interception.
30'
It's just five touches for Haaland in the first 30 minutes here. He is mostly proving a decoy and distraction for Man City so far.
31'
CHANCE! Elliott picks the ball up in the right half-space and floats a cross into the area. Szoboszlai is totally unmarked in the area for a big chance but he can only head it wide.
33'
The last five minutes have seen 87% Liverpool possession. It almost feels like City are deliberately sitting back and inviting pressure.
34'
Block! Liverpool press City into a mistake in their own half. Bradley fires off a shot but Ake does well to block it.
35'
City win a corner as Van Dijk makes a saving tackle on Haaland. Foden delivers from the right, City keep it alive but a big switch of play sees Gomez head clear for the hosts.
36'
A City throw-in sees Haaland link with De Bruyne. He latter tries a leftf-footed shot which deflects wide from a Bradley deflection.
39'
SHOT! City counter and it's Haaland vs Van Dijk with no one else around. The Norwegian works a yard for a shot but it doesn't have the power required and Kelleher can save it easily.
39'
Liverpool are putting some good pressure on. Elliott has a shot blocked by Stones and a dangerous cross followed... but City hold firm.
42'
SO CLOSE Diaz receives from Szoboszlai and works a yard to cut inside. Diaz fires a shot but it goes about three yards wide of Ederson's goal. Considering the space that the two sides are finding, it's a surprise we haven't seen another goal or two yet.
44'
Wide! Van Dijk dawdles on the ball as Haaland comes from behind to nick it off him. He passes out to Alvarez and the Argentine goes alone and fires a shot off target. That's the first mistake made by Van Dijk today.
45'
HALF TIME. It's been an excellent half. City have been the better side and certainly started much more impressively. Liverpool grew in the half and had long spells of possession and pressure. It the end, it only led to one shot on target from Klopp's team. Join us in 15 minutes for the second half. Liverpool 0-1 Man City.
45'
+3' Szoboszlai strikes a freekick from distance with power for Liverppool. His effort is on target and draws a save out of Kelleher.
45'
Yellow card, Man City: Rodri cuts down Mac Allister after a loose Alvarez pass and is a given a booking.
45'
+1' SO CLOSE! Walker intercepts in front of Diaz and carries it 50 yards. Walker sees Haaland's run make space for De Bruyne but his low cross has far too much power and it flashes past the sliding De Bruyne in the box.
45'
Added time: two minutes.
46'
KICKOFF! The second half is underway. Neither side has made any changes. A huge 45+ minutes of football awaits us. Mikel Arteta will be watching at home with great interest.
47'
PENALTY to Liverpool! A horror moment from Ake as he plays a back pass just 84 seconds into the second half. He underhits it and Ederson clatters Darwin Nunez in the box. Just like that, the entire game changes from a bad mistake.
48'
Yellow card, Man City: Ederson is booked for that foul and he has also hurt himself and needs treatment. Ortega is warming up in case he needs to come on and face the penalty.
50'
GOAL, LIVERPOOL, MAC ALLISTER, 1-1! With Salah not on the pitch, Argentine Mac Allister steps up and brilliantly scores the penalty past Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson. The 'keeper went the right way but the spot-kick had too much power and height. Liverpool 1-1 Man City.
53'
Van Dijk looks for a ball over the top for Darwin Nunez but Ederson is first to the ball. now he is down again and his afternoon looks over. It looks like a dead leg for the goalkeeper.
56'
SUB, Man City: Ortega comes on for Ederson in goal.
57'
Foul: Bernardo Silva is lucky to escape a yellow for a frustrated foul on Mac Allister.
58'
CHANCE! Foden is sent through on goal for Man City in the box. He should restore their lead but Kelleher comes out to brilliantly smother the opportunity and keep the scores level.
59'
Yellow card, Man City: Bernardo Silva is cautioned. It looks like it was for dissent.
59'
CHANCE! Brilliant play between Szoboszlai and Darwin sees the latter release the former inside the box. Szoboszlai's touch is too heavy though and the ball runs away from him.
60'
Wide! Szoboszlai fires wide after Gomez had intercepted a loose ball from Rodri.
61'
SUBS, Liverpool: Robertson for Bradley is the first change with Gomez moving to right back. Salah comes on for Szoboszlai with Elliott dropping deeper into midfield.
63'
HUGE CHANCE! Salah's first real touch is a perfect 40 yards through ball which sends Luis Diaz through on goal. He tries to curl it past Ortega but he steers it wide of the post with the goal gaping! That should be 2-1 to the hosts.
64'
CHANCE! Nunez finds Diaz in the box for Liverpool but the winger takes a touch and Walker gets back. Hit it! Had he taken a shot first-time, Walker would not have had time to recover. Liverpool are totally on top here!
65'
WIDE! A corner reaches Salah who strikes a shot into Stones. It comes back to Salah but he lashes his effort just wide.
66'
SAVE! Ortega now has to push a Mac Allister shot wide. The Reds are relentless here and will surely score soon.
68'
This second half has seen seven Liverpool shots and just one for Man City. Guardiola is looking to his bench to try to wrestle back some control of this match.
69'
SUB, Man City: Kovacic is on for an unhappy De Bruyne and Doku replaces Alvarez down the left.
70'
Guardiola has clearly gone for players who can hold onto the ball. Kovacic has already done that with his dribbling. De Bruyne was livid but that sub may just work out.
71'
CHANCE! Liverpool get the ball down the left for Robertson, who crosses low into the area. It reaches Darwin first but Ortega makes himself big and makes a key save for the visitors.
73'
BAR! City hit the woodwork. A cross from Ake is punched by Kelleher straight into Foden and the ball rebounds onto the crossbar. Replays show it hit Foden's hand so it wouldn't have counted anyway.
75'
City are now enjoying about two minutes of possession without interruption. Kovacic is having loads of touches and so is Doku.
76'
SUB, Liverpool: Gakpo replaces Darwin Nunez as Klopp looks for another burst of energy and impetus.
77'
The stats back up what was just said. The last five minutes have seen City have 79% of the possession.
78'
Guardiola just went to sit down and talk to De Bruyne to explain his decision. The evidence is on the pitch as a controlling player in Kovacic makes the difference instead of a killer-pass specialist in KDB.
81'
Ortega is doing well here for City. He pushes a Quansah SHOT away and catches a Salah cross.
82'
The crowd explodes at Anfield as Diaz goes on 70 yard dribble. He leaves Walker and Rodri behind and then baits Walker into a challenge and goes past him again. In the end, it leads to a corner which Van Dijk heads WIDE.
84'
Now it's all Liverpool again! A cross so nearly reaches Diaz as Walker flies in, Gomez has a shot blocked and Mac Allister slides a shot wide. It would be remarkable for this match to finish 1-1 considering all the action we've seen. There have been 25 shots and five 'big chances' from the two sides today.
86'
Haaland has had just 20 touches in this match. Van Dijk has pretty much pocketed the powerful Norwegian machine.
89'
CHANCE! Diaz is on the rip here and finds a pass for Salah in an inside-right position. The Egyptian winger goes for goal but Ortega is able to save easily. A less rusty Salah probably scores that chance, despite the narrow angle.
89'
POST! Doku receives a pass from Haaland. He works a yard on the outside and fires off a left-footed shot which beats Kelleher, hits the upright and bounces into the goalkeeper's hands.
90'
FULL TIME. It ends 1-1 in a crazy, exciting match. Liverpool were outstanding in the second half and outshot City 12-3 after the interval. City were on the ropes for long spells but managed to just about calm things down. A late call could have led to a Reds penalty, a second one of the match. This title race is so close and excting and it's Arsenal who end the weekend on top of the table. Thanks for joining us for a titanic battle. Liverpool 1-1 Man City.
90'
+9' Wow, the replays show Doku caught Mac Allister on the chest but only after getting the ball. That was a great shout for spot-kick but nothing is given.
90'
+8' Elliott wins a late corner for Liverpool. Can the Reds make it count in the dying seconds? The corner is half-cleared and Doku has a bit of a wild swipe at the ball. VAR will take a look here...
90'
+7' Endo flicks on a long ball to Gakpo. The Liverpool striker can't find a yard to shoot and passes to Salah in the box and the winger crumbles to the ground as Ake challenges him. The referee and VAR both agree it's not a penalty.
90'
+5' Doku explodes down the left and crosses low. Foden tries a flick with his left foot but it goes into his standing leg. It's nothing more than a half-chance anyway.
90'
+4' Liverpool are flagged offside and Salah had certainly strayed. The ball ended up in the net from Elliott after Gakpo struck the woodwork. The flag went up early though, before either of those shots, and City had stopped playing.
90'
+2' Elliott's cross is headed behind by Stones for a corner. Robertson goes over to the right to deliver... the first ball isn't great but Liverpool keep it alive with waves of pressure. City try to counter through Foden but Van Dijk gets back to crunch into a tackle on the City man.
90'
Added time: eight minutes. There is plenty of time here for a winner.
Liverpool
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester City
1
Goal Scorers
1
50' Mac Allist...
23' Stones John
0
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
11
Squad
11
Gomez Joseph
Endo Wataru
van Dijk Vi...
Diaz Luis
Szoboszlai ...
Nunez Darwin
Mac Alliste...
Elliott Harvey
Kelleher Ca...
Quansah Jarell
Bradley Conor
2
3
4
7
8
9
10
19
62
78
84
2
5
6
9
16
17
19
20
25
31
47
Walker Kyle
Stones John
Ake Nathan
Haaland Erling
Rodri
De Bruyne K...
Alvarez Julian
Silva Bernardo
Akanji Manuel
Moraes Ederson
Foden Phil
9
Reserves
9
Salah Mohamed
Adrian
Robertson A...
Tsimikas Ko...
Gakpo Cody
Clark Bobby
McConnell J...
Koumas Lewis
Nallo Amara
11
13
26
21
18
42
53
67
65
18
8
3
21
27
24
11
52
82
Ortega Stefan
Kovacic Mateo
Dias Ruben
Gomez Sergio
Nunes Matheus
Gvardiol Josko
Doku Jeremy
Bobb Oscar
Lewis Rico