PL Title Race: Man City & Liverpool Play Out Thrilling Draw
11 April, 2022
Manchester City remain top of the Premier League standings after playing to an entertaining 2-2 draw with rivals Liverpool for a second time this season.
Premier League
Result: Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool
Date: 10 April 2022
Venue: Etihad
Man City made three alterations as Kyle Walker returned alongside Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus, both of whom were joined Raheem Sterling in a front three while the Reds brought back Diogo Jota flanked by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane upfront.
City had a bright start as Sterling's blushes of being denied an opener goalkeeper Alisson were spared by Kevin De Bruyne in the fifth minute who opened with a deflected strike that went in off the post. Liverpool did not take long to respond as Jota levelled matters in the 13th minute with a close-range strike under Ederson after a cut-back by Trent Alexander-Arnold from the right.
Pep Guardiola's charges were threatening to restore their lead and they got their reward 10 minutes before the halftime break, with Jesus finding the back of they a volley off Joao Cancelo's cross.
The tempo showed no signs of slowing down in the second half. The Reds had a perfect start in the second stanza as Mane levelled matters within a minute from the restart with a first-time strike after being played in by Salah.
With Liverpool playing a high line, they punished on the hour mark when Sterling was slipped through on goal and slotted past Allison, but celebrations were cut short after Video Assistant Referee (VAR) confirmed he was in an offside position.
With the encounter on the balance, Jurgen Klopp made the first change 20 minutes before time as Luis Diaz replaced Jota while five minutes later, Guardiola brought on Riyad Mahrez for Sterling.
Both sides were going for the winner in the closing stages, with the Citizens playing without a recognised striker after Jack Grealish replaced Jesus while the Reds went direct after Mane made way for Roberto Firmino.
Mahrez had a big chance for City in second-half stoppage time after going through on goal but his attempted lob sailed over the crossbar, as the two sides settled for a share of the spoils.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za
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