Haaland’s 27th-minute strike, his 50th Premier League goal, had put City in control of the game and the defending champions had chances to secure a 24th win from 24 home games in all competitions but were left stunned by Alexander-Arnold’s late equaliser.
The draw was enough to keep Pep Guardiola’s team at the top of the Premier League table upon the final whistle, still one point ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, but having leaked away points late on for the second game in a row, this title race is very much on.
Alisson Becker’s reputation as a top-class goalkeeper has been hard earned but he endured a difficult day in the Liverpool goal. He was fortunate to escape punishment early on after inexplicably gifting the ball to Phil Foden for the first opening of the game.
Liverpool knew top spot was theirs with a win and wanted to be proactive. “If we let them roll with it, then they are too good and it is really tricky,” Klopp had told Sky Sports beforehand. “If you can interrupt that rhythm then we can have our own moments.”
They did. Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah have created the most chances for each other and assisted each other more than any other pairing in the Premier League this season.
It was their attacking threat that brought Liverpool’s first opportunity at the other end.
Joel Matip’s driving run opened up space for Salah and his cross found the head of Nunez unmarked in the middle. The Uruguay international striker nodded the ball towards the top corner but Ederson’s outstretched right hand denied the Liverpool man.
