Premier League leaders Manchester City and Liverpool’s 23-match winning streak was ended 1-1 at the Etihad on Saturday.
After City had taken the lead thanks to Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brilliant goal 10 minutes from time allowed the visitors to pull ahead.
With a share of the spoils, the teams are now separated by just one point, and if Arsenal wins at Brentford later on Saturday, they might overtake City for the top spot.
Just over a day after the international break, when both teams featured players who had participated in World Cup qualifying in South America, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp voiced his disapproval at the early kickoff time.
The anticipated fireworks did not occur, and fatigue seemed to be a role.
The finest opportunities came from City capitalising on careless passes from Liverpool’s back line just before the half.
Phil Foden’s mediocre attempt released Alisson Becker from his cage after the Brazilian conceded a possession inside his own area.
However, the custodian for Liverpool was unlucky when Nathan Ake was picked out by his subsequent sliced clearing.
After dribbling forward, the Dutch defender found Haaland, who reached the far corner with Alisson blocking his low shot.
With his 50th Premier League goal in just 48 games, Haaland broke Andy Cole’s previous record for the fastest half century in 65 games.
Turning behind Foden’s low drive from outside the box that was arrowing into the bottom corner, Alisson made some small repairs.
Darwin Nunez, on the other hand, posed the greatest threat to Liverpool as Mohamed Salah was unable to continue his stellar performance against City.
After the break, Ederson turned a strong attempt aside at his near post and clawed away Nunez’s header in the first half.
However, City were more likely to extend their lead in the second half as Liverpool found it difficult to slow down Jeremy Doku’s speed when he went on the offensive.
Julian Alvarez was gifted a fantastic opportunity by the Belgian winger, which the Argentine blew.
When Alisson lost a corner under light pressure from Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias tapped in, Alisson was given another 20-minute reprieve.
The referee’s on-field decision to award the Liverpool ‘keeper an easy free-kick was upheld by a VAR check.
In an attempt to generate a reaction, Klopp went to his bench, introducing Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, and Luis Diaz.
After being kidnapped in his home Colombia, Diaz’s father was among the audience as he was taken to England by Liverpool to celebrate Christmas.
Additionally, 10 minutes from time, Diaz contributed to Liverpool’s goal against the flow of play to tie the game.
Salah found Alexander-Arnold with a pass from the Colombian, setting him up for an incredible finish into the bottom corner.
For the first time since December 31 of last year, City failed to win at home as they attempted to score in eight minutes of added time but were frustrated.