Although Jurgen Klopp’s revamped Liverpool are still far from perfect, they passed a crucial test on Saturday when they overcame a deficit to draw 1-1 at Manchester City.
Klopp’s team ended City’s 23-game home winning streak in all competitions, and they are now just one point behind the reigning champions at the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool has only lost once in the league since their 4-1 hammering at the Etihad in April, when they last visited the stadium.
Despite competing with City for significant awards for the whole of Klopp’s tenure at Anfield, Liverpool finished sixth in the Premier League the previous year.
Despite neither side playing to their best ability, early indications that they could once again prove title contenders were supported as a top-of-the-table match failed to produce fireworks.
After just 48 appearances, Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal gave City the lead on minute 28.
Then, with ten minutes remaining, Trent Alexander-Arnold struck the far corner with a superb finish, giving Pep Guardiola’s team the best of the chances to extend their lead.
Regarding his team’s title credentials, Klopp remarked, “I think we passed a test today, I’m not sure it’s the test.”
In an organisation where time is scarce, it can be quite challenging to request and utilise it. We were utterly outmatched and didn’t have much of a chance last year against a team that had been together for a lot longer than this one.
“We had a chance today. If you ask me, “Who was more likely to win the game?” I’m not stupid; I saw the game. Of course, it was City, but we also had our moments.”
The decision to have such a major match begin off at midday following an international break drew criticism from Klopp.
Just over 72 hours before kickoff, three members of Liverpool’s starting lineup had participated in World Cup qualifying in South America.
“It’s not like I look at us and think ‘ok we are the finished article’,” Klopp said. “I wasn’t happy with a lot of the performance, but how can you judge that when it’s been such a tough week?
“Come back, we have one training day left to get ready for the hardest game of the season—ten days away. I start with what I have and go from there.
Guardiola was happier with his team’s performance as a whole even if 2023 was their first home loss.
“After eight years, I can attest to how hard it is to accomplish what we have accomplished, which is why we played so well. to feel deserving of more and to be angry and hungry in the locker room,” Guardiola remarked.
“It’s the (thin) margins in football. You still have to be content even if you play that way and lose.”
City had won six of their first seven Premier League games to lead the title chase, but they have already lost three of their last seven.
The top five are separated by just four points, and third-place Arsenal can take the lead later on Saturday if they defeat Brentford away.