EPL – Manchester City vs Liverpool: It was touted as the title decider. As long as City managed a point, the title would remain in their hands. As for Liverpool, a loss could have ended their title hopes but a win was needed to keep their title hopes in their hands.
However, things ended, exactly how they began. The Citizens lead the Reds by a point and both teams would need to win all of their matches.
The Sunday clash was the finest, English football had to offer. It started with De Byuyne’s 5th minute deflected goal. Only for Jota to equalise within a matter of minutes on the 13th.
The hosts dominated the remainder of the first half and managed to head into halftime with the lead. Thanks to Jesus’ 37th minute goal and shambolic defending by Alexander Arnold.
Just when we thought, City had the game in control, Klopp’s fired up men equalised once again through Mane at the very beginning of the 2nd half.
From then on we saw two teams at their very best creating a lot of chances. However, there was a sense of caution among both teams and the match ended 2-2.
EPL – Manchester City vs Liverpool: Player ratings
Man City: Ederson (6), Walker (6), Stones (6), Laporte (7), Cancelo (7), De Bruyne (8), Rodri (6), Silva (7), Jesus (8), Foden (6), Sterling (6).
Subs: Mahrez (6), Grealish (N/A)
Liverpool: Alisson (6), Alexander-Arnold (7), Matip (7), Van Dijk (8), Robertson (6), Henderson (6), Fabinho (5), Thiago (6), Salah (7), Jota (7), Mane (7).
Subs: Luis Diaz (6), Keita (N/A), Firmino (N/A)
Man of the match: Kevin De Bruyne
Managers’ reaction
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager: “It was a good game. I will have to review the game but I have a feeling we missed an opportunity. A feeling that we left them alive.
“Heads up, I said to the team after the game, I don’t want one second of sadness. It was a good game for our fans, Liverpool fans, fans in the UK and around the world. We dignified the Premier League.
“We created a lot against them, except for maybe the last final action. It was an incredible performance, I am so proud of my team.
“We know now that we have to win every game.
“It will be difficult but it will be difficult for them too.”
Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp: “Nothing changed, really. You play 95 minutes of incredibly intense football and nothing changed.
“If we win today, we are two points up, that changes nothing. We have to be nearly perfect to beat this team in a game and over a season too.”
Asked further on whether he agreed that his team would now have to win every single remaining game to lift the Premier League title, Klopp agreed.
“I think that is probably right. We knew it in January. We had to win 18 games. If there was one we could draw it was today.
“We have to be pretty much as close to perfection as possible to win seven Premier League games which is insane but that is the only way to beat this team. If it is enough.
“Because they might win seven as well.”
