No team other than Liverpool and Manchester City have won the Premier League in any of the past four seasons. They are arguably the two best teams in England and may be even Europe. Clashes between them are never dull encounters. They are full of goals and quality, even if some of the past meetings have been processions. Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp are adversaries, each sharing a high level of mutual respect and admiration for one another.
Are Liverpool and Man City a cut above others?
There’s a lot of hype and excitement whenever they are due to play, and it was no different yesterday. Often these kinds of fixtures turn out to be a damp squib, but yesterday, it didn’t. There was nothing to separate the two teams after a gripping and exhausting 90 minutes. It was clear to see why both are many people’s favorites to finish top of the pile come May. Apart from the obvious individual quality and tactical superiority both possess, the mentality and fighting spirit separates them from the rest.
Twice Man City trailed in the second half, after dominating proceedings in the first half, twice Man City equalized. In front of a frightening atmosphere in Anfield, where many teams implode, City kept their belief and got what they at the very least deserved. Liverpool showed what they’re made of too. After an incohesive first half, they came out all guns blazing and opened the scoring. They were pegged back, but immediately reset and went ahead.
Thanks in big part to Mo Salah. He is really staking a claim to be Europe’s best player at the moment. His mazy run and finish for Liverpool’s second was a thing of beauty.
A match without unnecessary drama
The match was played in such good spirit. There were no fights, no injuries, no lengthy delays and gladly, no VAR drama. In the first half, Liverpool were failing to click into their rhythm. City were exploiting Liverpool’s right flank where veteran all-rounder James Milner was filling in for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Phil Foden was getting joy out of this tussle and City should have perhaps taken the lead.
The second half was a neutral’s delight. The two heavyweights were trading blow after blow. Liverpool scored, City scored. Liverpool scored again, City responded again. It was the kind of match you just couldn’t get enough of. That’s what happens and should happen when two champion teams come head-to-head. Both teams didn’t do enough to lose, so draw was a fair result, although City will feel they could have won it.
When the dust settles though, both teams will gladly take this point. Pep and Klopp see each others as the main adversary, and a point against your adversary is never a bad one. Chelsea were the biggest winners from this encounter as they finished the weekend top. But both Liverpool and Man City have issued a warning to the Premier League, that they are the teams to beat. Finishing above either/both will be a nigh-on impossible feat.