FROM THE ETIHAD STADIUM - Trent Alexander-Arnold's late equaliser earned Liverpool a 1-1 draw at Premier League champions Manchester City.
Erling Haaland had fired home a record breaking 50th Premier League in just 48 appearances to give City a deserved lead midway through the first half, but they were unable to put the game out of sight against a dogged Liverpool side.
With the clock ticking down, vice-captain Alexander-Arnold collected Mohamed Salah's pass in-field before firing past the outstretched hand of Ederson into the bottom corner.
How the game unfolded
City dominated possession from the off and every attack seemed to build up through the pacy Jeremy Doku on the left wing. Indeed, his first foray into Liverpool's penalty area almost led to an opportunity for Haaland to score, before Alisson's error allowed Phil Foden to get a shot off on goal.
Liverpool were happy to sit back and look to counter and things almost came together on the quarter-hour mark when Salah floated a lovely cross for Darwin Nunez to glance a header on goal. But the Uruguayan couldn't quite get enough power on it and Ederson clawed it away from danger.
Alisson was again fortunate to get away with some questionable footwork, barely clearing his lines before Haaland nipped in, but he wouldn't get lucky for a third time as an errant pass presented City with the opening goal.
With ball in hand, the Brazilian goalkeeper looked to play in Salah with a long ball, but he slipped and the ball fell short into his own half at the feet of Nathan Ake. He drove towards the edge of Liverpool's penalty area before slipping in Haaland to find the corner of the net with aplomb.
City dominated the rest of the half, with Doku seeing plenty of the ball, and Foden came close to scoring on a number of occasions.
Liverpool got a foothold into the came in the second half, getting their foot on the ball more often, but should have fallen 2-0 behind as Julian Alverez fired over from 12 yards out.
Klopp introduced Ryan Gravenberch and Luis Diaz in a bid to turn the tide, but again it was City who almost extended their lead - Ruben Dias' bundled home effort from close range ruled out after Manuel Akanji was adjudged to have fouled Alisson.
With the game at 1-0 and not put to bed, Liverpool always carried some sort of threat going forward and Nunez brought a decent save from Ederson after good work from Salah.
City didn't heed the warning and with with ten minutes to go Liverpool claimed their equaliser. Good wing work from Diaz saw him switch play to Salah, and he played in Alexander-Arnold who found the corner of the net with a nice finish from the edge of the box.
The hosts carved out a couple more chances but Liverpool held on for a point in a game they will be delighted to have got something out of.
Guardiola and City were shell-shocked. They carved out a couple more chances but Liverpool held on for the unlikely draw. Very much two points dropped for City, whilst Liverpool will be delighted to have taken something from the Etihad.
Man City player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Ederson - 7/10 - Made a couple of good saves and footwork was immaculate. Could do little with the goal.
RB: Kyle Walker (c) - 6/10 - Rarely called on defensively but good going forward when needed.
CB: Ruben Dias - 7/10 - Marshalled the back-line well and made some crucial clearances.
CB: Manuel Akanji - 6/10 - Always wanted the ball and made some big plays, but odd pass went astray.
LB: Nathan Ake - 7/10 - Brought in to do a job on Salah, the Dutchman didn't mark him out of the game but did well and set up the opening goal.
CM: Rodri - 8/10 - Another Rolls Royce performance in the heart of midfield from Rodri, who barely broke sweat.
CM: Bernardo Silva - 7/10 - Always wanted the ball, dictating play - hard for Liverpool to pick up.
RW: Phil Foden - 7/10 - A constant menace for Kostas Tsimikas who struggled to contain him. Could and should have scored.
CAM: Julian Alvarez - 6/10 - Not his best day at the office. Passing was a bit off and he missed a great chance early in the second half.
LW: Jeremy Doku - 9/10 - Liverpool found it really difficult to contain Doku, who got the ball whenever he wanted it. Should have had a goal and an assist at least.
ST: Erling Haaland - 8/10 - Took his goal brilliantly and worked his socks off for the team.
Substitutes
Subs not used: Stefan Ortega (GK), Kalvin Phillips, John Stones, Sergio Gomez, Josko Gvardiol, Scott Carson (GK), Oscar Bobb, Rico Lewis
Manager
Pep Guardiola - 7/10 - His decision to play Ake ahead of Gvardiol was a very good one and the game plan to go through Doku was a very good one. But he refused to make any subs.
Liverpool player ratings (4-3-3)
GK: Alisson - 4/10 - Dreadful day at the office for a keeper widely regarded as one of the best in the world.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7/10 - Struggled with his defensive dutes against Doku but got the important equaliser or Liverpool.
CB: Joel Matip - 5/10 - Was often dragged out to try and help combat the Doku threat but to little avail.
CB: Virgil van Dijk (c) - 8/10 - A good battle with Haaland throughout, the Norwegian did score but the Liverpool captain was excellent.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas - 5/10 - Liverpool struggled across the backline and Tsimikas was no different when trying to cope with Foden's movement.
CM: Curtis Jones - 4/10 - Didn't get into the game and was taken off before the hour.
CM: Alexis Mac Allister - 4/10 - The sooner Liverpool can move Mac Allister further up the pitch, the better.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai - 6/10 - Worked hard but saw little of the ball in City's half.
RW: Mohamed Salah - 8/10 - Liverpool's best player, tried his best and created a couple of good chances. No surprise he grabbed the assist for their goal.
CF: Darwin Nunez - 6/10 - Put a shift in up front but again lacked the quality Liverpool really needed from him.
LW: Diogo Jota - 3/10 - Was barely in the game and went off before the hour with an injury.
Substitutes
SUB: Luis Diaz (54' for Jota) - 6/10 - Bright when he came on and played a role in Liverpool's equaliser.
SUB: Ryan Gravenberch (54' for Jones) - 6/10 - Will be confident of starting ahead of Jones in the weeks to come after a bright cameo.
SUB: Cody Gakpo (73' for Szoboszlai) - N/A
SUB: Harvey Elliott (84' for Nunez) - N/A
SUB: Wataru Endo (84' for Mac Allister) - N/A
Subs not used: Caomhin Kelleher (GK), Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah
Manager
Juregn Klopp - 7/10 - Made the changes necessary to get Liverpool back into the game and it paid off.
Player of the Match - Jeremy Doku (Manchester City)
This article was originally published on 90min as Man City 1-1 Liverpool: Player ratings as Alexander-Arnold rescues late point after Haaland opener.
