How Liverpool and Manchester City played out a pulsating 1-1 draw to hand Arsenal the Premier League title advantage

Given how that game went, City’s general history at Anfield and Liverpool’s tendency to just score when they need to, City will be delighted with that draw.

They were in a position to do much better early on, and they could have even squeaked a late winner with a couple of forays forward after they settled down following Pep Guardiola’s substitutions, but given the storm they found themselves in after handing Liverpool an equaliser, they should be over the moon that the seemingly inevitable Liverpool winner did not come. There are 30 more points to play for, anyway!

Jeremy Doku had his right foot high and his heart in his mouth deep into stoppage time. Manchester City were defending a late corner when Doku’s attempts to clear saw him collide with Alexis Mac Allister in the penalty box.

Referee Michael Oliver was not convinced of a foul and nor was Stuart Attwell, VAR on the day. Doku’s challenge was reckless with a follow through seeing his boot hit Mac Allister’s chest but the officials were seemingly convinced that City’s winger had touched the ball just before his opponent.

Jurgen Klopp was aggrieved, believing his side had been denied a clear penalty and a chance to win the game. After the match, he told Sky Sports: "This situation in all positions of the pitch is 100 per cent a foul. And it is a yellow card. He hit the ball but, but if the ball is not there he kills him.

"(Mike Dean) will find something (to excuse the call) and all the others as well. It's a penalty for all people on the planet."

When Liverpool were able to find their greatest encouragement, the point when Manchester City were wobbling midway through the second half, Luiz Diaz’s failings in front of goal were to be the greatest source of regret.

Three times in the space of 10 minutes the forward found space in or close to the City penalty area and on each occasion he fluffed his moment.

Sloppy touches allowed two of the openings to pass Diaz by, sandwiching his best opportunity from Salah’s threaded pass. Diaz was clean through on goal but his attempt to find a controlled finish ended with a wayward effort high and wide of substitute keeper Stefan Ortega’s goal.

Another chance like that did not come again for Liverpool and Diaz’s wastefulness was all that could detract from a splendid performance from the Colombian.

One run down the Liverpool left, ending with a corner won, had Anfield on its feet as both Rodri and Kyle Walker were tormented by Diaz’s close control and persistence. So nearly an outstanding performance.

Ederson’s decision to sprint away from his goal and plant an almighty whack on the onrushing Darwin Nunez felt… naive, if we’re being kind.

As The Athletic have previously analysed, the punishment very rarely matches the crime when it comes to penalties, with a reward that is overly generous in favour of the attacking team. This certainly felt like one of those occasions.

Nunez was clever to pounce on a Nathan Ake backpass, but the Uruguayan was nowhere near goal when he nicked the ball away from Ederson. If he had got the ball under control, the odds were still against him to score in the next few seconds.

Instead, Ederson’s challenge led to Liverpool’s equaliser and was the catalyst for Anfield to find their voice again. It was a challenge that will always come without justification.

If this game has become the Premier League’s biggest in the modern era, there was scant experience of it in the Liverpool starting line-up.

Five of the players picked by Jurgen Klopp (Kelleher, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Wataru Endo and Luis Diaz) had never started this fixture before, while Dominik Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez all only had one start apiece.

Manchester City, by contrast, could turn to countless veterans of facing Liverpool when stakes were at the highest. Guardiola’s side had collectively been through the unique pressures of this contest time and again.

Not that it was always obvious. Liverpool’s green team, especially the youngsters in the rearguard like Bradley and Quansah, played with a fearlessness in the insulation of Anfield. City, in fact, were the team that appeared rattled at times.

It was telling that Klopp’s first changes were to introduce Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, yet the response to a trying opening was made all the more impressive by the lack of experience.

City have been known for their aerial dominance in recent seasons with their tall, powerful spine running through the team. For that reason, it is unsurprising that set pieces have been a key weapon in their pursuit of every trophy they have competed in.

Rather than a powerful, thumping header, Stones’ opener was an exquisite near-post strike that fooled every Liverpool player — with a wicked ball fizzed low into the six-yard box from De Bruyne’s corner.

There was so much to admire in such a simple routine. The execution from De Bruyne to drive such a pinpoint cross was in “hang it in the Louvre” territory. Nathan Ake’s intelligence to drag Mac Allister away from the near post to clear the space for Stones to run into. The timing of Stones’ run and his delicate firing of the ball past a bamboozled Caoimhin Kelleher.

Choreographed routines are more popular than ever in the modern game, and this one was executed to perfection. With Pep Guardiola immediately pointing in the direction of set-piece analyst Jack Wilson and coach Carlos Vicens as soon as the ball found the back of the net, you can be sure that this was straight from the training ground.

Fans of both teams alike have taken to our discussion page to describe the stress they felt during that thrilling match...

Man City supporter Steve F: According to my Fitbit I had 75 ‘active minutes’ during that game and I never moved off the sofa. F*** knows how the players are feeling…

Liverpool supporter Niall M: How did that end 1-1??

Man City supporter Tim E: My nerves are shredded.

Against most other teams, Liverpool would have certainly found a winner after equalising from the penalty spot.

But City were able to survive the onslaught.

Klopp's side had 19 shots in the match, the most they have had against a side managed by Guardiola in the Premier League.

And City have had seldom had to do so much defending with the 12 shots they faced in the second half the most since May 2021 (against Brighton).

Pep Guardiola says he doesn't know about the extent of Ederson's injury but makes a noise which suggests it isn't great news.

Jurgen Klopp on his chat with Pep Guardiola at the end of the match: "After the careers we might somehow become friends.

"He's a golfer, I'm not a golfer. I play padel but he is Spanish so he might play as well."

Alexis Mac Allister has scored nine of his 10 career penalties in the Premier League, including each of the last eight in a row.

Meanwhile, after saving the first two penalties taken against him, Ederson has only kept out one of the last 22 spot kicks he’s faced in the PL.

Unsurprisingly, Liverpool fans on our discussion page agree with Jurgen Klopp that Alexis Mac Allister should have been awarded a penalty in stoppage time...

Gerald G: Genuinely can someone explain to me why that’s not a pen? Did Doku get the ball first?

Andrea R: Kicking someone in the chest is not a foul, interesting.

A Man City supporter shared his view as well...

Michael G: Disappointed really because it was such a soft left-off for Liverpool for the penalty. It's pivotal for the title race.

After talking of his pride at his side's second-half performance, Klopp discussed the potential penalty his side should have in stoppage time.

"They hit the post and that was quite a good chance so we were a bit lucky there, but with our chances and the penalty situation in the last second," he told Sky Sports.

"I think it's worth talking about it. It was (a reasonable conversation with Michael Oliver). In every position on the pitch, it is 100 per cent a foul and it's a yellow card.

"Yes, (Doku) got the ball but he could only get the ball because his foot was up there. If the ball is not there, he kills him. It's as easy as that."

More from Pep Guardiola's discussion with Sky Sports after the match: "I know how difficult it is at Anfield. It is difficult at Etihad too, Liverpool have not won there in eight years. We prove, both sides we are incredible competitors. I would prefer a win but they prove for many years the quality they have. It was good from everyone."

On Jurgen Klopp: "We wouldn't need a hug to show that (respect). He defends his club, I defend mine. Our history speaks for itself. We still have 10 games to go, many things can happen."