On Sunday afternoon, two of the favourites to win the Premier League title this season Liverpool and Manchester City clashed at Anfield. The game between the former and reigning English champions produced a thrilling 2-2 draw.
After a goalless first-half, the game burst into life in the second half. Sadio Mane gave Liverpool the lead before Phil Foden equalised for City. The Reds regained the lead through an excellent solo effort, only for Kevin De Bruyne to level things up late on.
The end-to-end second half was spectacular and illustrated why the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world. City may feel they should have taken advantage of their first-half dominance. Liverpool’s stand-in right-back James Milner was also fortunate not to be dismissed in the second half. In the end, though, a draw was maybe a fair result.
Foden vs Salah
For all the stars on the pitch, two players stood out from the pack, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and City’s Phil Foden. The best players produced when their teams need them and that’s what the pair did.
Liverpool failed to get going in an attacking sense in the first half. However, Salah is always ready to provide a moment of individual brilliance. He did just that in the second half. Not only did he provide with his sensational solo goal, but he also set up teammate Mane for the opening goal.
Foden was City’s biggest threat throughout the clash. The England midfielder had first-half saves well saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Allison. He was not to be denied though and was on hand to fire a low effort beyond the Brazilian for City’s second-half equaliser. He also played a major role in the equaliser scored by an unusually off-colour Kevin De Bruyne.
No doubt the pair will have a big impact on their team’s fortunes for the rest of the season. Salah is just the epitome of consistency, while Foden now seems to be hitting his peak after some minor fitness worries.
A tough title to call
These two teams certainly showed that there is not much between them at Anfield. The draw may prove significant later in the season when the Premier League title is decided.
This season’s title race could be one of the toughest yet to call. With not only Liverpool and City involved, but also European champions Chelsea right in there. On recent evidence, Manchester United are unlikely to be involved, as they seem to be missing key ingredients to bake the perfect title-winning cake this season.
This season’s results have shown so far that it seems unlikely that a single team are going to run away with the title this season. It could be a close one. Then again City ran away with the title last season after a far worse start than in the current campaign.
It would be massively surprising this season if Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea did not finish as the league’s top three teams this season. In what order, only time will tell. However, if the remaining games between the title contenders are anything like Sunday’s, we are in for a treat.
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Was a draw a fair result between these two Premier League heavyweights?
