Man City 1-1 Liverpool: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late equaliser earns draw after Erling Haaland’s opener

Trent Alexander-Arnold cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener late in the game to earn Liverpool a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Haaland’s 27th-minute strike, his 50th Premier League goal, had put City in control of the game and the defending champions had chances to secure a 24th win from 24 home games in all competitions but were left stunned by Alexander-Arnold’s late equaliser.

The draw was enough to keep Pep Guardiola’s team at the top of the Premier League table upon the final whistle, still one point ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, but having leaked away points late on for the second game in a row, this title race is very much on.

How the game played out

Alisson Becker’s reputation as a top-class goalkeeper has been hard earned but he endured a difficult day in the Liverpool goal. He was fortunate to escape punishment early on after inexplicably gifting the ball to Phil Foden for the first opening of the game.

Liverpool knew top spot was theirs with a win and wanted to be proactive. “If we let them roll with it, then they are too good and it is really tricky,” Klopp had told Sky Sports beforehand. “If you can interrupt that rhythm then we can have our own moments.”

They did. Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah have created the most chances for each other and assisted each other more than any other pairing in the Premier League this season. It was their attacking threat that brought Liverpool’s first opportunity at the other end.

Joel Matip’s driving run opened up space for Salah and his cross found the head of Nunez unmarked in the middle. The Uruguay international striker nodded the ball towards the top corner but Ederson’s outstretched right hand denied the Liverpool man.

It was a tale of two Brazilian goalkeepers at that stage. Another poor kick from Alisson led to the game’s opening goal. In attempting to send Salah away, he only sliced the ball as far as Nathan Ake, who beat two before feeding Haaland to score into the corner.

Haaland’s fitness had been a doubt coming into the contest but instead he netted his 50th Premier League goal in only his 48th appearance in the competition – beating the record by 17 games. Brentford are now the only team he has played but not scored against.

But there was a response from Liverpool. Nunez had a series of openings. He was presented with one opportunity by Manuel Akanji, the defender proving less comfortable than John Stones when stepping into midfield. But City took a deserved lead into the break.

The home side started the second half slowly but still had the clearer openings, Julian Alvarez and Haaland both blazing over the bar. Alisson was then lucky to see Akanji’s tame challenge on him ruled to be a foul, meaning Ruben Dias’ tap-in was disallowed.

It proved to be a big moment in the match because, having hung in there, Liverpool found an 80th-minute equaliser. Set up by Salah, Alexander-Arnold arrowed a low shot into the corner of Ederson’s net to stun the champions and spark the celebrations in the away end.

It was reward for Liverpool’s endeavour but a little cruel on a City side that had come close to finding the second goal, Jeremy Doku tormenting the opposition defence. There was even time for Haaland to head wide of the far post from close range in stoppage-time.

Instead, for the second successive game, Manchester City failed to finish off their opponents, to leave this title race still in the balance.

What’s next?

Man City are in Champions League action on Tuesday when they host RB Leipzig; kick-off 8pm.

Their next Premier League assignment is on Sunday December 3 when they host Tottenham, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 4.30pm.

Meanwhile, Liverpool host LASK on Thursday in the Europa League; kick-off 8pm.

In the Premier League, Klopp’s side host Fulham at Anfield, also on Sunday December 3; kick-off 2pm.