Premier League: Liverpool share absorbing draw with title rivals Man City

SMS Message: Liverpool level on points at the top, and their two rivals still have to play each other. Calm. from John, Liverpool.

Liverpool level on points at the top, and their two rivals still have to play each other. Calm.

It felt exhilarating, back-and-forth with chances, challenges and a lot of drama.

It was a brilliant game for us all to see, it will be a rollercoaster ride so buckle up!

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was really good football game. The best performance in the second half we ever played against Man City. We never dominated that much, never were so brave. It was absolutely exceptional.

"What a game, what an atmosphere, what an afternoon."

On whether Liverpool should have had a penalty: "I think it's worth talking about. Would you have given a penalty in the situation? Isn't it [VAR] there for making the right decision? This situation in all positions of the pitch is 100% a foul. And it is a yellow card. He hit the ball but, but if the ball is not there he kills him.

"He [Mike Dean] will find something and all the others as well. It's a penalty for all people on the planet."

On if he thought City's goal should have been ruled out: "I didn't see that. I don't know. I saw yesterday Arsenal, if all these blocks are allowed then it's fine, block! That's our fault and not other people's fault, It was a good routine, didn't expect it. If it was a routine then it was good. Forget the refs, I am here to talk about football.

"So many things we overcame but today we showed we are ready to fight and that's what I love the most.

"After this game nobody should open the champagne bottles because there's still a long way to go but if you can play football like this against Manchester City it's a statement and I love that."

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When you analyse what Jurgen Klopp has achieved and looking at that team he put out there today, there were a lot of doubts from the outside so he is probably feels as if he is proving people wrong.

He has huge pride in how his team has performed on the big stage.

SMS Message: Carragher's comments around the unwritten rule are why fans get frustrated. The game is built on laws and referees have been sticklers for them this season around time wasting, dissent and cards so they should accept no unwritten rules. A foul is a foul is a foul. from Mekaeal

Carragher's comments around the unwritten rule are why fans get frustrated. The game is built on laws and referees have been sticklers for them this season around time wasting, dissent and cards so they should accept no unwritten rules. A foul is a foul is a foul.

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On Kevin de Bruyne being substituted....

I think it was the right decision, Pep is the manager and he has to look at the bigger picture.

Kevin is a world class player and he was disappointed. Nobody likes to be brought off, but Pep’s job is to look at the bigger picture and they will recover from that no doubt.

Manchester City showed why they are champions. You have to dig in, you cannot play well every week - the expectation on City is very high.

ChrisDH2022: For every second that Liverpool are not top of the league by at least a clear point, we need to remember that it is because of the Diaz goal being disallowed at Tottenham. If the season ends this way it will be a scandal for the Premier League.

If you’re Arsenal you would think a perfect result is a draw.

I think Liverpool will be watching [Manchester City v Arsenal on 31 March] and wanting a draw, from Liverpool or Arsenal's point of view they are trying to chase down City.

City are still the team to beat I would say.

Even though Arsenal are top I would prefer to watch Arsenal win at Manchester City and certainly not a City win as City's last five-to-six games of the season you will expect them to get maximum points.

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With Conor Bradley (20), Harvey Elliott (20) and Jarell Quansah (21) all starting, it was the first time Liverpool had named three players aged 21 or under in a Premier League starting XI against Manchester City since March 2015 (Raheem Sterling, Emre Can and Lazar Markovic).

SMS Message: 18.48...there's this thing called FFP. from Jasper in Verwood

18.48...there's this thing called FFP.

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Manchester City have had tough times at Anfield in recent years but this will rank among their most composed displays, despite a second-half Liverpool onslaught after Alexis Mac Allister's equaliser and the loss of Ederson to injury.

And this is why there will be mixed feelings for manager Pep Guardiola because he will know his side were exerting a strong measure of control until Nathan Ake's dreadful back pass. Not only did it offer Liverpool a way back into the game, it also led to the incident that forced Ederson off.

City still posed a huge threat even when Liverpool went through the gears in the second half, cursing their luck when Phil Foden hit the bar with a rebound off Caoimhín Kelleher's punch, then Jeremy Doku hit the post.

Jeremy Doku is almost trying to pull his foot away, he doesn’t go right through with it.

Anywhere else on the pitch and it's a foul, I almost think there is an unwritten rule in football that it has to be a bit more [physical] for a penalty - it's lucky, but I can see why they have not given it.

SMS Message: Re 18:17. A picture doesn't paint a thousand words, it paints one, "penalty"! from Adam, South London

Re 18:17. A picture doesn't paint a thousand words, it paints one, "penalty"!

On Jeremy Doku's challenge on Alexis Mac Allister...

It was naive, Jeremy Doku could have headed it. Why is your foot up there in the last minute of the game? If it was given it would not have been overturned.

TundePaul_1: Klopp’s brilliance and attitude to win have transferred to his squad. Regardless of who’s on the pitch, they just go for it. This must take a lot of blood and energy from him. LFC could have helped take some pressure off him a little by investing in players.

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Kevin de Bruyne has assisted seven goals against Liverpool in the Premier League, with only Ryan Giggs (8) assisting more against the Reds in the competition.

Indeed, only Andrew Cole (14) and Ryan Giggs (12) have more combined goals and assists against Liverpool in the Premier League than De Bruyne (11 - four goals, seven assists).

Millington891: If anyone wants to know why, regardless of trophies, Klopp has been the single greatest threat Guardiola has faced in management, look at the line ups, watch the 2nd half and THEN you’ll know why.

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Luis Diaz did everything besides score.

The tenacious elements of his game are always there, he is always willing to run with the ball - he performed very well.

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Good moments from both sides. We started really well. We have to never ever forget when we play in this stadium otherwise we don't have a chance, knowing it will be so difficult.

"It was a tight game on moments. Not a game where all the time a team controls it.

"A lot of credit to Liverpool. They proved again what they have done is unbelievable for this rivalry. I know how difficult it is to come here and win. The players gave everything. I give credit to the opponents and take the point.

"We knew we would have 10-15 minutes when it is a tsunami and you have to survive.

"We are there, we'd loved to have won but we could have lost. It is what it is, we go home and rest and prepare for FA Cup before international break."

On last time potentially facing Klopp: "He will be back! He loves the job too much. What can I say? He made us a better team, he made me a better manager. I wish he will be back soon, because football needs personalities like him."