Erling Haaland became the fastest player in history to plunder 50 Premier League goals but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fine late strike earned Liverpool a 1-1 draw in an entertaining top-of-the-table clash at Etihad Stadium.
Haaland opened the scoring on 27 minutes when he collected Nathan Ake’s pass and drilled a low strike into the bottom corner following a miscued kick from visiting goalkeeper, Alisson.
It saw the Norwegian forward obliterate Andrew Cole’s previous record of 50 top-flight goals in 65 outings, with the 23-year-old achieving the feat in just 48 matches.
Liverpool had contributed to a lively and even first half with Darwin Nunez failing to make the most of a series of good openings, including one header that was well saved by a full-stretch Ederson.
City created the better chances in the second half but the visitors silenced the home crowd 10 minutes from time when Alexander-Arnold rifled a sublime low shot into the far corner to earn a share of the spoils.
The result means City fail to equal the English top-flight record of 24 straight home wins in all competitions, set by Sunderland in the 1890s, and they remain just the one point ahead of the second-placed Merseysiders with the rest of the weekend’s top-flight fixtures to come.
Next up, Man City host RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League before entertaining Tottenham on Sunday. Liverpool are at home to LASK in the UEFA Europa League and then welcome Fulham to Anfield on Sunday.
Talking Point - Liverpool 2.0 looks like being the real deal
There have been clear suggestions the Merseysiders and their revamped midfield could be set to challenge this season, but this was perhaps the acid test.
Man City will feel they should have doubled their lead before Alexander-Arnold’s wonderful equaliser, but in truth this was an even game with the visitors defending well and going toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s Treble winners for long spells.
In a battle of the top two, Jurgen Klopp will be the happier of the two managers given his side again had to come from behind, were away from home and were up against City’s imperious form at the Etihad - indeed, the Citizens were perfect at home in 2023 until TAA intervened.
Results later in this round of fixtures may see Liverpool drop a place or two, but after 13 games played, one defeat and their toughest away match of the season out of the way, this was a major boost for the Reds, who will now have galvanised belief they could yet go on to achieve special things this season.
Player of the Match
Jeremy Doku (Man City). The Belgian winger continues to catch the eye, delivering another menacing performance down that left flank. Caused Alexander-Arnold problems throughout the contest and is already a fans’ favourite at the Etihad.
Player Ratings
MAN CITY: Ederson 8, Walker 7, Akanji 7, Dias 7, Ake 8, Rodri 7, Bernardo 8, Doku 8*, Foden 6, Alvarez 6, Haaland 7.
LIVERPOOL: Alisson 5, Alexander-Arnold 8, Matip 7, Van Dijk 6, Tsimikas 6, Mac Allister 7, Szoboszlai 7, Jones 6, Salah 7, Nunez 6, Jota 6. Subs: Diaz 6, Gravenberch 6, Gakpo 6, Elliott n/a, Endo n/a.
Match Highlights
16’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Ederson claws away Nunez's flicked header from Salah's delicious cross from the right.
27’ – GOAL! – Man City 1-0 Liverpool (Haaland): Ake seizes upon Alisson's miscued clearance, slaloms forward and plays through Haaland, who beats the keeper with a low strike into the far corner.
52’ – MAN CITY CHANCE! A lightning break ends with Alvarez blazing a great opportunity over from 15 yards out after more fine work on the flank by Doku.
69’ – MAN CITY GOAL RULED OUT! Dias taps home at the far post after Alisson failed to claim a left-wing corner. VAR checks as Akanji's arm was on the Reds keeper and the decision goes with the visitors. Still 1-0 and a real let off for Alisson there.
72’ – LIVERPOOL CHANCE! Ederson tips Nunez's first-time strike past his near post after the forward raced on to Salah's clever pass.
79’ – MAN CITY CHANCE! Doku dances beyond Matip and cuts it back for Haaland, who has his shot inside the six-yard brilliantly blocked.
80’ – GOAL! – Man City 1-1 Liverpool (Alexander-Arnold): What a strike! TAA collects Salah's pass and rifles a stunning 18-yard shot into the far corner.
90+8’ – MAN CITY CHANCE! Haaland meets a left-wing corner at the near post but his flick flashes wide of the back stick.
