Liverpool held defending Champions Manchester Metropolis to a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday afternoon to depart the title race broad open.
The consequence signifies that Arsenal high the Premier League standings on aim distinction, and solely a degree separates the three groups going into the enterprise finish of the season.
In entrance of a vociferous Anfield, it was Pep Guardiola’s facet who began on the entrance foot.
Man Metropolis have better of first half
Kevin De Bruyne simply hit his dinked cross a bit of too laborious for the onrushing Phil Foden within the fourth minute earlier than Caoimhin Kelleher saved out the Belgian simply minutes later.
The hosts did nicely to settle into the sport previous the opening levels and stroked the ball round with aplomb and had a aim disallowed as a consequence of offside contained in the opening twenty minutes.
John Stones opened the scoring within the twenty third minute, steering off De Bruyne’s nook on the close to submit. It very nicely regarded like a well-worked set piece from Pep Guardiola’s facet straight from the coaching floor.
After conceding, Liverpool did come out of their shell as they dominated possession, buoyed by the house devoted.
Luis Diaz had an amazing half inflicting the Metropolis backline all kinds of issues.
The touring facet virtually scored their second on the stroke of halftime, however Kyle Walker, having brilliantly run the total size of the pitch, hit his cross a bit too laborious earlier than De Bruyne may slide into the empty internet on the far submit.
Liverpool come again laborious in second half
Following the restart, it was all Liverpool. The Reds received a penalty when Ederson took out Darwin Nunez following Nathan Ake’s poor again go within the forty seventh minute.
With the Metropolis goalkeeper receiving remedy, Alexis MacAllister made no mistake, restoring parity after a short delay. The Brazilian was unable to proceed and was subbed off minutes later as Stefan Ortega took his place below the sticks.
Jurgen Klopp’s facet outplayed Metropolis everywhere in the pitch and may have taken the lead within the 72nd minute.
Andrew Robertson delivered a shocking in-swinging ball from the left nook, however Nunez may solely hit it in the direction of Ortega as Metropolis survived.
Simply seconds later, as Phil Foden aimed to get on the cross of Ake’s good ball, Kelleher got here dashing to parry the ball away, nevertheless it struck the Metropolis attacker to return again off the submit.
Metropolis substitute Jeremy Doku struck the submit with a low drive within the 89th minute earlier than Cody Gakpo simply minutes later in stoppage time spurned a wonderful alternative to grab the sport for the Reds.
The match led to a frenzy as Doku appeared to have kicked MacAliister’s chest within the penalty field however each referee Michael Oliver and VAR waved away claims of a spot kick to the hosts.
On the remaining whistle, each managers embraced themselves in what has been a riveting rivalry between the modern-day greats.
The consequence sees Metropolis path by Liverpool by only a level with ten video games left. Publish the Worldwide break, Guardiola’s facet tackle desk toppers Arsenal at residence as Liverpool swap focus to Brighton subsequent at residence within the Premier League.
Photograph credit score: IMAGO / PA Photos
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