Trent Alexander-Arnold delivers when it matters - as Man City know too well
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the Scouser in the team according to the anthem sung by Liverpool’s travelling fans.
He certainly had to show the kind of spirit that comes in handy when you are kicking a ball about on the streets of West Derby with the dream of making the grade at Anfield. Alexander-Arnold was given such a torrid time by Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku that he must have felt he was locked inside a washing machine on its spin cycle.
But when it came to the crunch, he had enough in his locker to drive home the 80th-minute equaliser that suggested Liverpool are definitely the real deal when it comes down to a title challenge. Jurgen Klopp’s team deserved their point - even if they got the benefit of a dubious second-half VAR decision that backed referee Chris Kavanagh’s decision to rule out Ruben Dias' close-range strike for a foul by Manuel Akanji on flapping Reds' keeper Alisson.
City were digging in to defend the lead given to them by Erling Haaland following another Alisson aberration in the first period. But Liverpool were struggling to turn their pressure into chances until Alexander-Arnold forgot about Doku to drift unnoticed into the home side’s penalty area.
When Mo Salah eased the ball into his path, he took a controlling touch before whacking a shot past Ederson's right hand. City were looking for a 24th successive home win in the league to equal a record set by Sunderland when Queen Victoria was on the throne.
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Haaland did set one new standard by firing home his 50th Premier League goal after 26 minutes. Alisson’s passing had been poor - but when he sliced a drop kick trying to spring Salah free, he paid a huge price. Nathan Ake controlled the ball, spun past Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexander-Arnold, and then set Haaland free to lash a shot under Alisson’s weak hand. His half-century came up in 48 games - 17 fewer than Andy Cole.
City had carried most of the threat up until that point. Pep Guardiola had clearly instructed his players to feed Doku at every opportunity and even when Joel Matip drifted across to help Alexander-Arnold, he caused huge problems.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring for Manchester City (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Do you think Liverpool were lucky to take a point from Saturday's game? Let us know in the comments below!
Phil Foden fired straight at Alisson after one poor Alisson clearance and Diogo Jota’s header was pawed out by Ederson at the other end. Liverpool increased their tempo after the break, but Klopp felt he needed to roll the dice by sending on Luis Diaz, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo as the champions held firm.
Alvarez fired a great chance over after Doku had opened the Merseysiders up on the break. Then, in the 68th minute, Alisson came to collect Alvarez’s corner only to allow the ball to slip from his grasp like a bar of soap as Akanji challenged - and Dias scored at the far post. Contact was minimal but referee Kavanagh ruled it was enough - and VAR Stuart Atwell agreed.
Alisson did make amends by making a smart save to deny Haaland a second goal from yet another Doku cross - and 60 seconds later Liverpool were level. Haaland glanced a header just wide deep into injury-time as City roused themselves. And at the final whistle Guardiola and substituted Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez had to be separated as tempers flared.
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