Liverpool 1-2 Man City PLAYER RATINGS: Which City star showed ‘nerves of steel’ after a quiet start? Who lost the game for Liverpool? And which Reds player will be haunted by a glaring second-half miss?
In what was an extraordinary game of football, Manchester City kept their title hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring for the Reds with a sublime free-kick in the 74th-minute, before Bernardo Silva levelled the scoring somewhat out of nowhere 10 minutes later.
Erling Haaland then scored a 93rd-minute penalty, whipping his shirt off and charging towards the away support as they all-but secured the victory.
And if that wasn’t enough, City could – and possibly should – have had a third when Rayan Cherki’s pass trundled into the net. But VAR intervened in astonishing fashion to rule out the goal and send Szoboszlai off.
Daily Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE was there to rate the players for Arne Slot’s Reds, while JACK GAUGHAN delivered his verdict for City’s stars.
Dominik Szoboszlai scored a sublime second-half free kick to open the scoring for Liverpool
Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva levelled the scoring for Manchester City 10 minutes later
Erling Haaland scored a last-gasp penalty in a goal that ultimately secured the victory for City
LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1):
Alisson – 5
Made what looked like a match-defining save after just two minutes to deny Haaland but his rash foul on Nunes lost the game for Liverpool.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 7.5
Where do you start? One of the very best free-kicks we have ever seen in the Premier League is the moment to remember as the late red card was inconsequential.
Ibrahima Konate – 6
A solid, strong performance from Konate with some big moments when riding out pressure in the first half.
Virgil van Dijk – 6
Won nearly every header against the aerial challenge of Haaland but some of his passes were loose.
Szoboszlai was shown red in the dying seconds of the dramatic affair at Anfield on Sunday
Milos Kerkez – 6.5
A top-class first half up against the tough test of Semenyo. Was out-run by Nunes for City’s winner.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
City’s midfield box played through Liverpool too easily in the first half and both Gravenberch and Mac Allister were maybe guilty.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5.5
The Argentine has not been at his best this season but so nearly equalised right at the death but for a fingertips save from Donnarumma.
Mohamed Salah – 5
Did nothing in the first half but was effective after the break and would have had an assist or two but for poor finishing from team-mates.
Florian Wirtz – 6
When he got on the ball, he played some exquisite passes. The problem was he did not get on it enough.
Cody Gakpo – 5
Did not do enough as Nunes and Khusanov dealt well with everything from Liverpool’s left.
Hugo Ekitike – 6.5
Has been Liverpool’s best new signing but several missed chances here, including the 55th-minute header that went inches wide, will haunt him in this game.
Hugo Ekitike missed a massive headed opportunity to put Liverpool 1-0 up after 55 minutes
LIVERPOOL SUBS:
Curtis Jones (for Gakpo, 85)
Federico Chiesa (for Kerkez, 90+4)
Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Endo, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha.
LIVERPOOL MANAGER
Arne Slot – 6
City’s game-plan nullified Liverpool for the vast majority of this game.
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7.5
The Dominick Szoboszlai free kick was unstoppable but could he have had more in the wall? That last-minute save is why City bought him.
Matheus Nunes – 7.5
The Portuguese has previously looked overawed on these occasions but comfortable here and went right to the end by winning the penalty.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 7
Forced off as a concussion substitute after taking a nasty blow. One positional mistake after half-time but another decent afternoon.
Marc Guehi – 7.5
Some incredibly assured pieces of defending when holding up attackers before half time – but was almost in huge trouble when Salah broke free.
Marc Guehi controlled City’s defence and had a good battle with Liverpool winger Mo Salah
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 6.5
Definitely improving at left back and provided a real threat going forward for the visitors. Couple of tricky defensive moments.
Rodri – 7
More composed at the base of midfield, although did tire in the second half – as happened at Tottenham last week.
Bernardo Silva – 8.5
Absolutely everywhere again. Labelled a major doubt beforehand but you wouldn’t know it. Crucial to how City played.
Antoine Semenyo – 5.5
Frustrating afternoon. Probably not as involved as he would’ve liked in midfield or up front. Needed extra care on the ball.
Nico O’Reilly – 8
Some top work higher up the pitch in turning over possession. Understood his midfield role in a very mature display.
Erling Haaland – 7
Largely quiet again – until the last 10 minutes. Completed the header for the equaliser and then showed nerves of steel to slot away the penalty.
Nico O’Reilly was one of Man City’s best players and put in a mature performance on Sunday
Omar Marmoush – 5.5
Nothing really happened for him. Busy alongside Haaland and showed glimpses but could’ve impacted it more.
Subs
Ruben Dias (for Khusanov, 61) – 6
Rayan Cherki (for Marmoush, 61) – 6.5
Nathan Ake (for Semenyo, 90)
Manager
Pep Guardiola – 7.5
Great team performance before half time, the usual drop off thereafter but a stunning late comeback that could be huge in the title race.
