As in the first leg, Manchester City and Liverpool were neutralized (2-2) after a thrilling shock, Sunday April 10, for the 32nd day of the Premier League, the two teams remaining separated by one point, in favor of City at the top of the standings.
The two teams that have dominated English football for a few years went head-to-head, although City would probably have deserved to win on points. Less aggressive than usual, especially in the first period, the Reds still managed to come back twice, just as the Citizens had managed to do at Anfield Road last October in the first leg. And it’s no small feat because, since the start of the season, Pep Guardiola’s men had won the 22 games in which they had opened the scoring.
The Catalan had chosen to start Gabriel Jesus, no doubt for the element of surprise, given the Brazilian’s few starts recently, and Phil Foden on the left, rather than in the axis, left to Raheem Sterling.
Jürgen Klopp had played it safe with a classic eleven and Diogo Jota in the middle surrounded by Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool have resources
What Klopp had probably not expected was the rather sluggish start to the match for his team, far from his standards in terms of dynamism and impact, especially in the recovery of the second balls.
Throughout the first act, City were able to maneuver almost to their heart’s content, playing with their customary skill from the Reds’ high line several times taken from the backhand.
The opener thus came from a free kick quickly played by City, on which Kevin de Bruyne was able to approach the goals, eliminate Fabinho far too easily with a hook, before striking and scoring (1- 0, 5th), just seconds after a face-to-face loss by Sterling with Alisson.
His strike had certainly been deflected by Joel Matip before touching the post to return, but this success rewarded the greater determination of the locals.
Similarly, the Sky Blues’ second goal came from a very fine diagonal from Joao Cancelo towards Jesus, who took the Liverpool defense from behind, which was coming back after a corner, to score at the far post (2-1, 36th) .
But Liverpool has the resource and if its series of 10 consecutive victories in the league is interrupted, it remains in contact with the defending champion, while there are only seven days left to play.
He owes it to a goal from Jota, who had been very well served by a deflection back by Trent Alexander-Arnold, mounted at the forefront (1-1, 13th) and a sublime pass from Salah for Mané, after less 50 seconds of play in the second half, which the Senegalese converted with composure (2-2, 46th).
City may have regrets
Despite a more balanced second act and where Jota, still on a pass from Salah, could have given the victory to the Reds from the outside of the foot (52nd), City may have regrets.
Jesus who, twice, preferred to try to make the difference, alone instead of serving better placed and distinguished teammates (61st, 72nd), can blame himself.
Similarly, Riyad Mahrez, who came into play a quarter of an hour from the end, could have tipped the match in favor of his team with a free kick which hit the outside of the post (90th).
And above all, in additional time, after being magnificently served by De Bruyne, he missed his ball stung at sixteen meters, while Alisson had deserted his cages (90th + 3).
Football fans can only rejoice at both the spectacle offered and the suspense intact after this shock.
The fight for the title promises to be intense until the very last day between the two rivals.
(With AFP)