X reacts as Liverpool and Man City play out thrilling draw at Anfield

It is truthful to say Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s remaining Premier League conflict lived as much as the hype on Sunday, as their groups performed out an enthralling sport at Anfield.

An Alexis Mac Allister penalty early within the second half canceled out John Stones’ first-half effort, guaranteeing the factors had been shared between the title rivals.

Here is how social media reacted to the sport.

Slightly than the gamers who had been beginning the sport, all the pre-match speak was dominated by the absentees from Liverpool’s lineup.

Regardless of that includes on Thursday within the Europa League, Mohamed Salah wasn’t deemed match sufficient to start out, whereas centre-back Ibrahima Konate’s harm concern picked up in midweek meant he wasn’t included within the matchday squad in any respect.

Salah’s absence from the beginning XI obtained a very blended response from Reds followers.

There was additionally some discontent about Konate being risked by Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool’s expectedly snug win over Sparta Prague on Thursday, too.

After a gap 20 minutes through which the injury-riddled Liverpool greater than held their very own in opposition to a full-strength Manchester Metropolis, the guests’ high quality ultimately advised within the twenty third minute.

The just lately fully-fit Kevin De Bruyne curled a pleasant ball into the close to submit space to Stones and the centre-back made no mistake together with his volleyed effort, sweeping previous Caoimhin Kelleher and into the web.

Whereas Man Metropolis followers rejoiced, Liverpool followers had been left aggrieved by the dearth of VAR intervention within the purpose.

A sly block on the close to submit from Nathan Ake on Mac Allister which created the area for Stones to run into drew fairly a little bit of ire.

Metropolis would maintain onto their lead all through the rest of the primary half, with each side lacking a couple of half probabilities earlier than the whistle.

In the beginning of the second half, the Reds had been gifted an opportunity to attract stage when a calamity of errors from Ake and Ederson resulted in a penalty kick being awarded to the house aspect.

Ake’s ill-timed again cross to his goalkeeper was reduce out by the onrushing Darwin Nunez, who was then chopped to the bottom by Ederson on the proper of the penalty space.

Up stepped Mac Allister to take the spot kick and the World Cup winner made no mistake from 12 yards out, curling previous Ederson and into the side-netting.

Recreation on.

Issues went from dangerous to worse for Ederson after conceding the penalty kick. After lumbering on for a couple of minutes, the Metropolis primary was compelled off with an harm picked by bringing Nunez to the bottom within the field.

Ederson’s substitution coincided with Salah coming off the bench for Liverpool – two modifications which fully modified the complexion of the sport within the hosts’ favour.

As anticipated, Salah made a right away influence, creating probabilities for his teammate Luis Diaz.

The one problem for Liverpool was Diaz did not carry his capturing boots to Anfield, lacking three gilt-edged probabilities in fast succession.

After that flurry of squandered alternatives, a shocking tactical tweak from Pep Guardiola – taking De Bruyne off – allowed Metropolis to wrestle again a little bit of management within the sport…regardless that De Bruyne wasn’t too completely satisfied about it.

That change, which noticed Phil Foden transfer right into a extra central position, resulted within the guests’ first actual likelihood of the second half.

A pleasant cross into the field from Jeremy Doku resulted in Kelleher punching the ball immediately off Foden and onto the crossbar.

A detailed shave for the Republic of Eire goalkeeper, to say the very least.

Metropolis would hit the upright as soon as once more late within the sport, with substitute Doku racing into the left-hand aspect of the field earlier than drilling throughout purpose and off the foot of the submit.

Doku was additionally within the thick of the motion on the different finish within the remaining moments of the sport, when his fairly rash try and clear the ball resulted within the extensive ahead seemingly clattering Mac Allister within the chest.

Regardless of appeals from Reds gamers and followers alike, a VAR examine resulted in a penalty not being given.

That may show to be the ultimate motion of a completely entertaining 1-1 draw.

And though each side will probably be pretty pleased with the purpose gained from the draw, there is no doubt Arsenal followers had been the cheeriest of the title-chasing bunch on Sunday night.

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