Liverpool pushed Man City to their limits at Anfield – Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
Pep Guardiola had it right. “It was like a tsunami,” the Manchester City manager said as he discussed Liverpool’s raucous, raw comeback in this contest for the ages.
And “tsunami” is the right word. It was like giant red waves crashing into sky blue City, caused by some fundamental, deep-seated kind of earthquake that rolled around Anfield.
Of course it does not mean more, as Trent Alexander-Arnold provocatively claimed, but there is something visceral about the emotions inside this stadium in a big game like this.
There is also something in the fact that for all the brilliance he has brought to City, Liverpool’s home remains the one arena where Guardiola has not fully exerted his control.
There was the emphatic 4-1 win in 2021, but that was in Covid times in an empty stadium – and make no mistake that City were rattled here after finally looking like they might have tamed this proud beast. Still, it was a draw and a good point for them.
Even so, they were hanging on at he end and were perhaps fortunate not to concede a second penalty deep into injury-time which would have swung the Premier League title race significantly in Liverpool’s favour.
As the final whistle went, as Liverpool implored referee Michael Oliver to award the spot-kick, after substitute Jeremy Doku appeared to catch Alexis MacAllister with a boot into his chest, Jurgen Klopp and Guardiola shook hands. The respect was clear.
Jurgen Klopp embraced Pep Guardiola at the final whistle – AFP/Paul Ellis
So, is that it? Is this the 30th and last meeting between these two great managers? There may be one more – possibly in the FA Cup Final – but never again at Anfield with Klopp stepping down at the end of the season.
How sad a thought is that? Will we ever see the like of this again? Maybe, then, it was appropriate that it finished in a draw which, of course, meant that the winners were the third team in this conversation, in this title race, Arsenal, with their young manager Mikel Arteta who is set to inherit Klopp’s role as Guardiola’s fiercest adversary.
With 10 games to go it is obviously far too close to call, with Arsenal ahead of Liverpool on goal difference and just a point in front of the champions, City. City may be third but probably remain the favourites as they search for an unprecedented fourth title in a row.
Guardiola was asked for his thoughts and noted there were 30 points to play for – City’s next opponent is Arsenal at home – and so dismissed the relevance of where this leaves the title race, and understandably so.
The tension was writ large across Guardiola’s face – Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
Alexander-Arnold had prodded City by suggesting Liverpool’s trophy wins were more important, given the financial power City have exerted, which provoked a withering response from Erling Haaland and there was always a sharp edge close to the surface of this game.
Afterwards Klopp said he had met up with his wife, Ulla, and she was “buzzing” and that was a feeling shared by everyone who was at this game and one that should not be lost in the analysis, debate, controversy and talking points. “I am so happy with the way we played today and the result is just one thing,” Klopp said, and it was probably a sentiment shared by Guardiola.
“Are we really in the race from a performance point of view?” Klopp added. “Today showed we are in the right position.” Again, Guardiola will have concurred and this is how deliciously poised this race is as the home straight comes into view.
The heat is on. There was even the sight of Kevin de Bruyne arguing with Guardiola after he was substituted – although, in fairness, Nunez was also unhappy with Klopp, slowly shaking his head, as he was taken off. But then no player wanted to miss the action.
Kevin De Bruyne rowed with Guardiola after being substituted – AP/Jon Super
There was also the normally unflappable Rodri in a flap while Luis Diaz was a mixture of threat and chaos and amid all the chances, all the back and forth, as both sides went for it, he was guilty of the most glaring miss. Sent through on goal by Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian’s first involvement after coming off the bench, Diaz got his angles all wrong and sliced horribly wide.
Luis Diaz was guilty of missing gilt-edged chances – Shutterstock/Ash Allen
City will counter that by declaring they twice hit the goal-frame while goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher denied Phil Foden in a one v one. Foden then struck the crossbar, although that was inadvertent as Kelleher’s punched clearance struck his head and rebounded back before Doku was unfortunate with a low shot against the base of the post.
The outstanding performers? For City it was John Stones who is so ridiculously assured and was also picked out by De Bruyne with a clever corner routine as the ball was played in hard to the near post for the defender to tuck home. Liverpool were asleep.
John Stones broke the deadlock from a well-worked corner routine – Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt
For Liverpool it was midfielder Wataru Endo. For the first time in more than a year, City enjoyed less possession than their opponents and the Japanese international was instrumental in that as he undoubtedly overshadowed Rodri. And few can boast that.
Still, City brought about their own downfall with Liverpool’s goal. They had appeared dominant, there was even a slight air of resignation from the home fans at half-time, and then just 84 seconds into the re-start Nathan Ake under-hit a backpass, Nunez stole in and Ederson upended him. The goalkeeper later went off injured due to the challenge but not before MacAllister had beaten him from the spot. Then the tsunami struck and City were clinging on.
Ederson upended Darwin Nunez to concede a penalty – AFP/Paul Ellis
Should the midfielder – or Salah – have had another chance from a penalty? Yes, it looked like it as Klopp continued to rival Guardiola like no manager has done before. Or probably ever will. On a joyous game, that was a sad final thought.
Liverpool vs Man City: As it happened
07:08 PM GMT
No penalty says Telegraph Sport columnist Jamie Carragher on Sky
Jeremy Doku is almost trying to pull his foot away, he doesn’t go right through with it.
Anywhere else on the pitch and it’s a foul, I almost think there is an unwritten rule in football that it has to be a bit more [physical] for a penalty – it’s lucky, but I can see why they have not given it.
Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder #11 Jeremy Doku (L) kicks Liverpool’s Argentinian midfielder #10 Alexis Mac Allister
06:58 PM GMT
Guardiola on De Bruyne’s reaction to being subbed
That’s good, that’s good. He has chance next game to prove how wrong I was . Next time he will have it. It’s fine, we needed a player to come on and get the ball and keep it. It was not about pressing, it wasn’t about playing, Mateo is very good at that. What happened with Kevin… it’s not a problem, it’s fine.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne with manager Pep Guardiola
06:45 PM GMT
Guardiola speaking to BBC: ‘It is a tsunami’
We knew we would have 10-15 minutes when it is a tsunami and you have to survive.
We are there, we’d loved to have won but we could have lost. It is what it is, we go home and rest and prepare for FA Cup before international break.
John Stones and Stefan Ortega of Manchester City look on during the Premier League match
06:38 PM GMT
Guardiola on embracing Klopp
We wouldn’t need a hug to show that [respect]. He defends his club, I defend mine. Our history speaks for itself. We still have 10 games to go, many things can happen.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp greets Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola following the Premier League match
06:24 PM GMT
Jurgen Klopp has just gone through the whole Liverpool team…
He has singled out each of the XI players for praise, and looks borderline euphoric. Klopp believes Liverpool showed they are ready to “fight” until the end of the title race.
06:23 PM GMT
Guardiola on the way the game turned
We started really well but they are incredible team. We had our moments, they had theirs. The way they play it is not easy. We take that point.
First half we had momentum, lots of chances first half. And after we gave away the penalty, we suffered. It was a good game for the spectators.
I know how difficult it is at Anfield. It is difficult at Etihad too, Liverpool have not won there in eight years. We prove, both sides we are incredible competitors. I would prefer a win but they prove for many years the quality they have. It was good from everyone.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts on the touchline in the last minutes of the match during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City
06:20 PM GMT
Klopp believes Liverpool should have had a penalty
The best performance in the second half we ever played against City. We never dominated them so much, we never played so many good decisions and we were never so brave.
I think it’s worth talking about it [the penalty]. Isn’t VAR there to just make the right decision and nothing to do with how
In every position on the pitch it is 100 per cent foul and a yellow card. He hit the ball because his foot is right there.
Manager of Liverpool Juergen Klopp thanks the home support after the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City
06:14 PM GMT
That was Liverpool’s most shots vs Guardiola’s City
19 – Liverpool’s 19 shots were their most in a Premier League game against Manchester City since February 2013 (22). 12 of those shots came in the second half, which was the most Man City have faced after half time in a league game since May 2021 (12 v Brighton). Storm. pic.twitter.com/E5KiBZGdZE
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 10, 2024
06:08 PM GMT
John Stones feeling ‘deflated’
We created a lot of chances early on in the game, and could have maybe taken some better.
We know what we are coming into coming here. We feel a bit deflated in the dressing room, we came here to win. But we got a point.
It’s one of those, a bit raw for me right now to analyse the whole game.
They’re a top side and we know what quality they’ve got and what they bring to the game.
Every game is a final for us. We treat every game like that. We have to continue, take the positives out of today and look forward to the next game.
John Stones of Manchester City applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City
06:05 PM GMT
Telegraph Sport columnist Jamie Carragher on Van Dijk’s performance
I actually think Virgil van Dijk is a better a centre-back than Erling Haaland is a striker.
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk reacts
06:00 PM GMT
Van Dijk on ‘bittersweet’ game
It was much better than the first 20 minutes. Every time they found the free man in the pocket and we should have closed the middle quicker. Second half we had some big chances.
Bitter sweet, with the chances we feel we could have won it, but they also had a shot against the post. We cannot deny their quality.
Manchester City has been very successful with the titles they have won and every game we have played against each other have been very intense. Every game is so difficult, they have quality all over the pitch and that is why they won the Treble last year. I respect that but the aim for us today was to win the game.
To come away with a point is not a bad situation and we have to focus on what’s next. We just have to enjoy the ride.
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk in action with Manchester City’s Phil Foden
05:59 PM GMT
Liverpool’s second half…
They finished the game with 2.46 expected goals, although around 0.78 of that will be from the penalty. City also finished the game with 1.6 expected goals. So there were the chances at both ends.
05:52 PM GMT
Bascombe’s FT verdict
A prolonged embrace by Klopp and Guardiola at full-time of a fixture which lived up to its billing. Both will feel they could have won it, City better in the first half but twice hitting the post in the closing stages, Liverpool cursing the poor finishing of Luis Diaz. A brilliant game. But ultimately, it is a good weekend for Arsenal.
05:46 PM GMT
FT: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Klopp and Guardiola hug and exchange warm words at the end, in what could be their last league meeting against each other.
Liverpool would have taken a point at half time, but their second-half performance was of such quality, and their second-half chances so numerous, that they will be left wondering if they should have won it.
Just one point separates Arsenal, City and Liverpool with 10 games to go, Arsenal top on goal difference.
Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp, foreground, and Manchester City’s head coach Pep Guardiola
05:44 PM GMT
98 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Big appeals for a Liverpool penalty! Doku catches Mac Allister with a high foot in chest, but he may just have got a foot to the ball beforehand.
Var is checking…NO PENALTY! That is the most contentious decision of the game. I think Doku is fortunate there. Very much an ‘umpire’s call’ situation. If given on the pitch, it is not being overturned.
Doku
05:42 PM GMT
97 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
More drama in the City penalty area! Endo went forward and won a really good flick on at the edge of the box. It looked to be there to hit for Gakpo but he delayed and passed for Salah. He went down under the challenge of Ake, appeals for a penalty, but VAR check complete: not enough in it.
But Diaz propels Liverpool forward again and they have a corner with 10 seconds left!
05:40 PM GMT
95 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
City with another opening on the break, but Quansah did well to get a foot to Doku’s low cross. If City can get Doku isolated against Gomez one more time, they might find just come up trumps.
05:38 PM GMT
94 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Salah goes too early and is flagged offside when Liverpool were in a promising position. Gakpo hit the bar from his cross before Elliott volleyed into the net, but the whistle had been blow. Replays show Salah was a good yard or two offside.
05:37 PM GMT
92 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Stones heads behind Elliott’s cross for a corner, and the Anfield crowd roars. Robertson tries an inswinger with his left foot but the deliver was far too floaty. City clear.
Liverpool have the ball, though. Elliott sends the ball towards Van Dijk but Akanji clears.
The Liverpool skipper Van Dijk then slides in on halfway with a well-timed tackle on Foden.
05:35 PM GMT
There will be EIGHT added minutes
There is space out, both teams have players who look thoroughly knackered. Can anyone grab the winner.
05:34 PM GMT
89 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
City almost delivered a sucker-punch in front of the Kop! Doku was isolated against Gomez after Haaland spread play, and his shot across Kelleher with his left foot bounces off the inside of the post and back into the goalkeeper’s arms. That could easily have fallen to a sky blue shirt on the rebound.
The Liverpool flood forward on the break, but Salah’s low cross was red by Ortega.
05:30 PM GMT
86 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
City have Foden, Haaland and Doku on the pitch, but I think the travelling fans in the Anfield Road end would take a point now if offered. Liverpool’s second-half has been one of their best of the season, and one to rival any from their vintage years under Klopp.
Liverpool’s English midfielder #19 Harvey Elliott (R) challenges Manchester City’s German goalkeeper #18 Stefan Ortega during the English Premier League football match
05:28 PM GMT
84 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Liverpool have got City penned in again. Walker and Rodri look like they are floundering in quicksand. In fairness to Walker, he got a foot in just as Diaz was about to shoot. Then Mac Allister scoops his shot over the bar after getting on the end of a knockdown.
05:27 PM GMT
82 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Robertson wins an important header and Liverpool break through Diaz. He was up against Rodri and Walker, both on yellows, but had too much skill for the pair of them, skipping through challenges and winning a corner. Diaz cheerleads for the Anfield crowd. Van Dijk heads the corner over.
05:25 PM GMT
De Bruyne and Guardiola deep in conversation on the bench
De Bruyne
05:25 PM GMT
79 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Good save Ortega to push away a shot from Quansah of all players!
Mac Allister has been superb in the middle of the park for Liverpool. Then Van Dijk finds Salah with a raking switch to the right, but Ortega claims his cross.
05:23 PM GMT
77 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Klopp has looked to his bench again: Gakpo is on for Nunez. Ortega sweeps up behind his defence well and City restore some order through Rodri. City have been better in the last few minutes, stringing passes together again since Kovacic was introduced.
Doku was found in space, but he lacked conviction as he cut inside and Kelleher saved with ease.
Jeremy Doku of Manchester City runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah
05:21 PM GMT
73 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Then City go close after Kelleher punches the ball against Foden, and it comes crashing back off the crossbar. The ball actually struck Foden’s hand so the goal would not have stood.
Then there are suggestions that Walker could have been in trouble for showing his studs in a challenge, but he won the ball cleanly and went in with just one foot.
05:17 PM GMT
71 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Another unbelievable chance for Liverpool to take the lead! They have shredded City in this second-half.
This time it was Robertson who whipped a ball across the face of goal, and Nunez was free on the six-yard line, but Ortega read it well to make a starfish save from Nunez’s flicked attempt.
Then the Kop whistles a period of City possession and they pass the ball straight out for a goal kick.
Everything that was said about City at half time – being cool, not playing the stadium – it has been the complete opposite since half-time. They’re losing their heads in the cauldron, currently.
05:13 PM GMT
68 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Guardiola is about to introduce Kovacic to try and settle this game down. This has been a storming half from Liverpool, a stunning effort considering their injury situation and the opposition. But will they rue
Alvarez and De Bruyne are coming off. Doku and Kovacic replace them. De Bruyne has some words with Guardiola and the City bench as he comes off.
Is that about the decision to take him off or City’s general performance since half time?
Kevin De Bruyne is enraged at his early substitution, remonstrating fiercely with City’s assistant coaches. But it is difficult to dispute the logic of Pep Guardiola’s decision. The Belgian has been dispossessed too often and too easily by his standards.
05:11 PM GMT
Keith Hackett: Why Ederson’s foul was just a yellow
Referee Michael Oliver was in a good position to correctly award a penalty kick for Liverpool and yellow card to Manchester City goalkeeper Emerson for his reckless challenge.
The law states reckless is “when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned.”
Oliver was correct to apply a yellow card to Eddison for his reckless challenge.
For it to have been a red card then the following criteria must apply in law: “Using excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and/or endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off.”
Oliver was correct and demonstrating why he is our No 1 referee remaining calm and reading the play exceptionally well that ensures his contact with the game and achieving those important viewing angles to SEE, RECOGNISE, THINK and ACT.
Manchester City’s goalkeeper Ederson, right, stops Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez during the English Premier League
05:10 PM GMT
64 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Luis Diaz has missed two huge chances to give Liverpool the lead! The first came from a Salah through ball that set him away, clean through against Ortega, but he leaned back as he tried to curl a shot with his right foot and shoved his attempt wide of the far post. A straight dink and it was a goal.
Then Diaz took too long to sort his feet out in the area when he was completely unmarked.
Moments later, Salah fires wide on the volley with his right foot before Ortega tips a Mac Allister shot around the post.
Liverpool are ALL OVER City at the moment. One-way traffic.
Liverpool’s Colombian midfielder #07 Luis Diaz (R) shoots but fails to score during the English Premier League football
Liverpool’s Colombian midfielder #07 Luis Diaz reacts after failing to score during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City
05:05 PM GMT
60 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
What a chance at the other end! Brilliant Liverpool counter, but Diaz’s touch let him down after Nunez turned and found his team-mate free in the box. The game has gone haywire since halftime, and that is much more to Liverpool’s liking.
Gomez jumps and wins the ball of City again, and Rodri was fortunate not to be penalised for handball.
Salah and Robertson are about to come on. Bradley and Szoboszlai are the players departing. Elliott inside and Gomez to right-back.
05:02 PM GMT
57 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
City have lost their composure since the penalty, unable to string more than three passes together and booting the ball long uncharacteristically.
But then a Liverpool mistake almost sparks them into life! Van Dijk’s pass towards Quansah did the youngster no favours, and he was caught on the ball by Alvarez.
De Bruyne then threaded a pass through to Foden but Kelleher made himself big to save from a tight angle.
05:00 PM GMT
55 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
That is Ederson’s race run. Ortega is replacing him, something which has increased belief throughout the stadium. A tough situation for a sub ‘keeper to come in, but Ortega is one of the best back-ups you could have.
04:58 PM GMT
52 minutes: Liverpool 1 Man City 1
Anfield is bouncing now. Guardiola is sat in his seat with a finger over his lips, a man deep in thought. Or that’s the pose he is striking anyway. Quansah lofts a ball over the top towards Nunez, but the forward was offside.
In rushing out to collect that pass, Ederson has gone down again. He is coming off. It is a problem with his thigh, unclear whether it is a dead leg or a pulled thigh.
04:55 PM GMT
GOOOOAAALL! Mac Allister buries the spot kick
Excellent penalty into the side-netting. Ederson guessed the right way, diving to his right, but the contact from Mac Allister was clean enough to beat him. Somewhat muted fist pump from Klopp, but he knew the next goal in this game was going to be massive.
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool FC scores their first goal from the penalty spot
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool (R) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal
04:54 PM GMT
Mac Allister to take
Is Ederson even going to stay on and face the penalty? He is limping back towards his line.
Mac Allister is going to take the penalty. Liverpool relying on the nerve of a World Cup winner.
04:52 PM GMT
PENALTY LIVERPOOL! Ederson brings down Nunez
What a mishap from Ake and Ederson! I think the goalkeeper is blame for his rashness but Ake’s pass sold him short and Nunez got there first. As soon as the Liverpool forward got there first it was a certain penalty, and Ederson kicked through him.
Ederson has actually hurt himself in the process and is receiving treatment. He was booked for the foul.
Who takes for Liverpool?
Manchester City’s Brazilian goalkeeper #31 Ederson fouls Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker #09 Darwin Nunez
04:51 PM GMT
47 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 1
Liverpool had plenty of the ball, or as much as you would expect to have against City, in the first half. They also worked some promising positions around the penalty area. They just need that telling moment of quality.
04:50 PM GMT
We’re back under way!
City kick off and it is they who will be shooting towards the Kop in the second half.
04:49 PM GMT
No changes from Liverpool at half time
Salah was doing some stretching at the break, but Klopp has resisted the temptation to gamble this early. No changes either for City, but that is no surprise.
04:43 PM GMT
City’s early dominance
These are their touches inside the Liverpool half just 10 minutes into the game.
City touches
04:42 PM GMT
Chris Bascome’s HT verdict
There have been many occasions when Manchester City have come to Anfield and played the stadium rather than the team. Not so far this time. Liverpool had their moments when pressing high, but City are so smooth and the extraordinary hybrid role of John Stones typifies their self-confidence. They’ll need a second to make this safe, of course, but Liverpool will surely need to summon Salah’s superpowers to get anything out of this in the second half.
Liverpool’s Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk (L) pulls the arm of Manchester City’s Norwegian striker #09 Erling Haaland
04:36 PM GMT
HT: Liverpool 0 Man City 1
An absorbing watch, but one that grew scrappier as the 45 minutes progressed which suits Liverpool.
City were slicing through the home team repeatedly in the first 20 minutes, and scored through John Stones just as Liverpool looked to have weathered the storm.
Klopp’s team have responded, with Szoboszlai and Diaz having half chances, and they remain in the fight. As things stand, City are going top.
04:34 PM GMT
47 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 1
Liverpool have an outside shooting chance from a free-kick in the driving rain at Anfield. It will surely be the last kick of the half, and Rodri was shown a yellow card for his foul on Mac Allister.
Clean hit from Szoboszlai, but Ederson was equal to it.
04:32 PM GMT
45 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 1
Kyle Walker’s delivery lets Liverpool off the hook. City’s right-back read a square pass and broke clear into space using his speed, but he smashed a cross through the six-yard box beyond De Bruyne.
Then Alvarez lets Bradley run off of him but Stones is expertly position to intercept the cutback.
Two minutes of added time to play.
04:30 PM GMT
44 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 1
Van Dijk stood and admired his interception there, and Haaland snuck up on his blindside to pinch the ball. In the end, Alvarez curls a shot high, wide and handsome. Harvey Elliott closes down Nathan Ake and gets a cheer from the Anfield crowd.
04:27 PM GMT
42 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 1
Close from Diaz and for Liverpool! City looking a rickety, losing the ball in midfield, and Diaz barrelled his way into a shooting position just outside the area. Sweet strike with his right foot, but it whistles wide of Ederson’s right-hand post. That is the closest Liverpool have come.
04:25 PM GMT
39 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 1
City have settled down into their earlier rhythm these last few minutes, slowing the game down to their preferred pace.
Then they have a counter-attacking chance after De Bruyne pokes the ball through the Haaland.
The striker was one-on-one with Van Dijk from about 45 yards out, but the Liverpool captain did well to show him on his weaker foot and his strike was fairly tame. Kelleher saves.
You rarely see two heavyweights isolated against each other like that in so much space, a fantastic duel to watch.
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, left, tries to stop Manchester City’s Erling Haaland during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester City
04:21 PM GMT
35 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 1
City play their way into trouble with some untidy passing in their own defensive third, but Liverpool cannot fashion a clear chance. City move up the pitch and win their first corner since the goal. A more regulation routine this one, and Liverpool defend.
Then De Bruyne bounces off some Haaland hold-up play into space around 25 yards out, and his left-footed shot deflects behind for a corner.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne makes an attempt to score during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester City, at Anfield stad
04:19 PM GMT
Jason Burt on City’s goal
Yes, it was appalling defending from Liverpool for the City goal – what was Darwin Nunez doing? – but it was also a wonderful, clever delivery from Kevin de Bruyne who clearly indicated he was playing the corner long before firing it in low for John Stones to finish. With so much attention now on set-pieces and set-piece coaches that was a smart one from City and De Bruyne.
Manchester City’s English defender #05 John Stones scores the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield
04:17 PM GMT
31 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 1
City’s away fans are now the supporters you can hear signing. Win this after victory in the Manchester derby, with Arsenal to come next, and City know there is a chance to take command of this title race.
Chance for Szoboszlai! He heads over when unmarked from Elliott’s delicate cross. Liverpool look at their most dangerous when they attack down the right and then switch left.
City looked measured, Liverpool are frantic. Feels like Klopp’s side are relying too much on the emotion of the occasion. City are so far unaffected by the Anfield factor.
04:13 PM GMT
27 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 1
Liverpool are pushing forward with abandon in search of a quick equaliser, but they have Van Dijk to thank for an interception on the stretch as City tried to gallop clear. Liverpool have carried some threat but City will fancy their chances of exposing them at the back.
04:10 PM GMT
GOOOOAAALL! Stones converts well-worked De Bruyne corner
Van Dijk produced a magnificent defensive header to take a cross of Haaland’s head, but Liverpool are undone from the resulting corner.
De Bruyne decided to feed a low one to the near post after Ake cleared the space by nudging Mac Allister, and Stones got there ahead of Kelleher to turn the ball into the net.
Some suggestions of a block, but there was not enough force there.
It looked a little scruffy, but that was inventive from City. City have lost one in 77 league games when scoring first.
John Stones of Manchester City scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City
Manchester City’s English defender #05 John Stones (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City
04:07 PM GMT
22 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 0
Liverpool’s makeshift back four are starting to look more comfortable with City’s movements and positioning. City looked like scoring with every attack in the first 10 minutes of the game.
Lovely switch of play from Rodri to Foden wide right but Gomez defends well and blocks the cross.
04:06 PM GMT
19 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 0
Liverpool have the ball in the net but Nunez was a good yard or two offside before he squared for Luis Diaz.
Better from Liverpool though, to work the ball through the middle of City. Then Rodri gifts Liverpool possession with a misplaced pass but Diaz could not get his shot away.
Szoboszlai did let fly, but Ake blocked. Speculative appeals for handball from the Kop but nothing doing.
The Anfield crowd are sensing their team growing into this.
The technical level required in games like this is off the scale. If you don’t possess a world class first touch, you are exposed. Liverpool are settling after a nervous start, but City look capable of slicing through with one De Bruyne pass. Breathless stuff.
04:03 PM GMT
17 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 0
Nunez tries to crane his neck and direct a header at goal, but the ball was always behind him.
Foden proving a livewire, Liverpool’s defenders are walking on egg shells as he dribbles into the box, but they manage to close down the angles and usher him away from goal.
Then Kyle Walker is shown a yellow card for a foul which prevented Liverpool from finding Diaz in space on the far side.
Manchester City’s English midfielder #47 Phil Foden shoots but fails to score during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City
04:00 PM GMT
15 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 0
Liverpool’s best attacking moment of the game so far comes from Bradley getting forward and teasing a ball across the six-yard box. Nunez was in there and stretching for it, but the ball was always ahead of him.
03:57 PM GMT
11 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 0
Gary Neville christens Bernardo Silva the “footballer’s footballer” after he defends well against Nunez.
Liverpool just cannot string any play together, City have thrown a blanket over them in the middle of the pitch.
Quansah has a dribble on the edge of his own box and attracts pressure from De Bruyne, but he just about keeps it.
Not sure ever seen Liverpool play so many long balls at the start of a game – certainly during the Klopp era.
03:54 PM GMT
8 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 0
The Anfield crowd respond to some intense pressure from red shirts towards the near touchline.
Then City find oceans of room again, Liverpool’s full-backs Gomez and Bradley are being caught forward. De Bruyne had time and space down the left, but rather than picking out a blue shirt or drilling a shot, he chipped a cross to nobody.
Then De Bruyne stings the palms of Kelleher with a strike from 25 yards.
Liverpool held together by stickytape but they are still in one piece for now.
Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City has a shot on goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City
03:51 PM GMT
6 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 0
Foden found space down Liverpool’s left again with Van Dijk dragged wide, but the City winger slipped just as Liverpool were scrambling to recover. The Walker is penalised for a trip in midfield.
For anyone interested, Danny Ings has scored a 91-st minute equaliser for West Ham against Burnley: 2-2 at the London Stadium.
03:49 PM GMT
4 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 0
City lining up in their three-box-three when they have the ball, with Stones going next to Rodri and Alvarez holding his width on the left. De Bruyne and Bernardo are playing in behind Haaland.
This has been an authoritative start from the champions, who are moving the ball smoothly. The first 20 minutes at Anfield is usually the most claustrophobic but City have settled.
03:48 PM GMT
2 minutes: Liverpool 0 Man City 0
Fast and frenetic in the first minute or so, before Nunez is flagged for offside on halfway.
Then City cut through Liverpool with ease, Rodri lofting a pass to release De Bruyne down the right. He found Foden in space but he ran into trouble in the box.
Then Bernardo Silva shows a silky touch to take the ball centrally and turn left, but Alvarez’s shot was saved comfortably enough by Kelleher.
03:45 PM GMT
KICK OFF! Liverpool get us started
After a rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, Liverpool kick-off.
City have turned them around so the home team will be shooting towards the Kop in the first half.
03:40 PM GMT
The players are in the tunnel
I know some people tire with Anfield atmosphere chat, but I think Liverpool’s absentees will make the crowd even louder today. They will know their team needs the extra help against a strong City side.
Liverpool’s fans are belting out Allez, Allez, Allez as the players walk out.
03:39 PM GMT
The latest scores from the other games
Burnley are still hanging on to a 2-1 lead against West Ham, while Forest trail 1-0 at Brighton as we enter the closing stages.
03:31 PM GMT
Biggest media presence I can remember
Not sure I have ever seen so many media representatives at Anfield. The interest in this game even seems to have eclipsed some of the Champions League epics. Just as well Liverpool recently extended the stadium. They used to say Liverpool vs Manchester United is the most-watched fixture in English football. So far as the broadcasters are concerned, Liverpool vs City must now be threatening that status.
03:29 PM GMT
Klopp vs Guardiola – head-to-head
This is remarkably going to be the 30th meeting between these two managers, across a variety of different clubs. The current record stands at 12 wins for Klopp, 11 for Guardiola with six draws. Guardiola just shades the head-to-head in the Premier League, with five wins to Klopp’s four.
03:25 PM GMT
Two of the greatest
Mohamed Salah vs Kevin De Bruyne needs an encore – this should not be their last battle
Read Sam Wallace’s full Sunday column HERE
03:21 PM GMT
‘A really important game for the title challenge’
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: “Whatever happens, still we’ll have many, many games to play. This is a really important game for the title challenge, but I still have the feeling that many things are going to happen.”
03:14 PM GMT
Febrile atmosphere outside Anfield
Liverpool fans outside the stadium before the match
Liverpool fans take photos as they lets off smoke flares outside the stadium before the match
Liverpool fans let off smoke flares outside the stadium before the match
Liverpool fans lets off smoke flares as they walk to the stadium before the match
03:09 PM GMT
Remarkable…
Only four players who started in Lverpool’s 1-1 draw with City at the Etihad this season are fit enough to take their places in Jurgen Klopp’s side this afternoon. It’s tough to overemphasise the scale of the injury issues facing Klopp at present.
03:08 PM GMT
GOAL (West Ham 1-2 Burnley)
West Ham have on back an it’s Lucas Paqueta who’s got them back in it. He kinks past Burnley defenders before sliding the ball past by keeper Trafford.
03:00 PM GMT
‘We didn’t even think about it’
Klopp says the idea of Salah starting this afternoon was not even considered owing to his lack of fitness after a setback. “We can bring him on, which is super cool,” Klopp adds.
02:57 PM GMT
‘We will try to handle the bad moments’
Bernardo Silva, speaks to Sky Sports: “It’s three points nothing more and nothing less – a very important points.
“If possible we can take points from our rivals so it’s a big day and I am looking forward to it.
“It’s always difficult to play away at Liverpool, today we have a big challenge, but I think we are ready.
“We will be ready for everything in the good and bad moments. We will try to handle the bad moments in the best possible way – we want to get the three points.”
02:55 PM GMT
Here come the hosts
02:53 PM GMT
HALF TIME: Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Brighton are deservedly ahead here, but there remains some doubt as to the identity of the scorer of the only goal. From one angle it appeared that Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels punched Pascal Gross’s free kick into his own net, and from another it looked as if the ball had gone in off the shoulder of defender Andrew Omobamidele. The scoreboard says Selz, but other opinions are available.
02:52 PM GMT
Alvarez and Akanji start
Just two changes for Guardiola from last weekend’s Manchester derby. Manuel Akanji starts in favour of Rueben Dias, while Jeremy Doku is named among the substitutes with Julian Alvarez named in the XI.
Manchester City starting XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Foden, Haaland, Alvarez.
Substitutes: Ortega, Dias, Kovacic, Doku, Gomez, Gvardiol, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis.
02:50 PM GMT
Liverpool selection
Four changes for Jurgen Klopp from the side which beat Forest last weekend. Darwin Nunez comes in, as does Jarrell Quansah, with Ibrahima Konate injured.
Liverpool starting XI: Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez. Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Diaz, Nunez, Elliott.
Substitutes: Adrian, Robertson, Tsimikas, Salah, Gakpo, McConnell, Clark, Nallo, Koumas.
02:48 PM GMT
GOAL (West Ham 0-2 Burnley)
Look away if you’re a West Ham fan…Burnley have doubled their lead at the London Stadium. A Konstantinos Mavropanos own goal has made it 2-0.
02:47 PM GMT
Man City team news – Guardiola at full strength
Today’s City squad! 🩵
XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Stones, Akanji, Ake, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Alvarez, Foden, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Dias, Kovacic, Doku, Gomez, Gvardiol, Nunes, Bobb, Lewis#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/p8vXs8LBWC
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 10, 2024
02:45 PM GMT
Liverpool team news – Salah on the bench
02:41 PM GMT
City bus route
Man City team bus entered Anfield from a different direction than the norm – away from where fans gather to ‘welcome’ players. It’s an alternative route offered (& declined) in previous years. Hopefully no issues this year. Maybe it will the same for Liverpool at the Etihad next season as they too have had issues with ‘general tomfoolery’ en route to Manchester.
02:34 PM GMT
GOAL (Brighton 1-0 Nottingham Forest)
The hosts lead…and it is through an ow goal by Forest’s Andrew Omobamidele.
02:33 PM GMT
Bubbling nicely at Anfield
Police walk through the Liverpool fans outside the ground before the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool
Fans of Liverpool make their way to the stadium whilst setting off flares prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on March 10, 2024 in Liverpool, England
Fans arrive ahead of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on March 10, 2024
Police walk through the Liverpool fans outside the ground before the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday March 10, 2024
02:26 PM GMT
Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Still all square on the south coast. The closest either side has come to breaking the deadlock is Jakub Modler’s headed effort which drew a superb save from Forest’s Matz Sels.
Jan Paul van Hecke of Brighton & Hove Albion has a shot saved by Matz Sels of Nottingham Forest during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest at the American Express Community Stadium on March 10, 2024 in Brighton, England
02:12 PM GMT
GOAL (West Ham 0-1 Burnley)
Chelsea loanee David Fofana gets past Nayef Aguerd and Kalvin Phillips, who bizarrely holds up his hands to let him pass before the on-loan striker promptly laces a shot into the top corner from 25 yards. It would be tempting to say there was silence around the London Stadium, but that was the case anyway.
Burnley’s David Datro Fofana (right) celebrates scoring their side’s first goal of the game with team-mate Wilson Odobert during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London.
02:09 PM GMT
Spurs lead at Villa Park
James Maddison has just broken the deadlock in this afternoon’s other fixture. Follow the live action from Aston Villa vs Tottenham HERE.
02:04 PM GMT
Injury latest
There has been some uncertainty over the fitness of Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate this week and so the sight of him arriving alongside Liverpool’s other injured players, rather than on the team coach, does not bode well seemingly…more on this when we get it.
02:02 PM GMT
We’re off…
We are underway at the Amex and at the City Ground.
01:47 PM GMT
Wood returns
Chris Wood is fit to return to the Nottingham Forest starting eleven at Brighton. Wood played 31 games on loan to Brighton from West Bromwich Albion in their 2010-11 League One championship season, scoring nine goals. No doubt Forest are aware that the last time he faced a former club, Newcastle United at St James Park on Boxing Day, the New Zealander scored a hat-trick in a rare Forest away win.
01:46 PM GMT
Team news – Brighton vs Nottingham Forest
Roberto de Zerbi has rung the changes after his side’s humbling defeat in Rome earlier this week. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen comes in for Jason Steele in one of seven changes for Brighton.
Tweaks are less substantial for Forest, with fit-again Chriss Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi coming in for Anthony Elanga and Danilo.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Gross, Moder, Baleba, Adingra, Ferguson, van Hecke, Estupinan, Fati, Veltman.
Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Williams, Gibbs-White, Wood, Toffolo, Dominguez, Yates, Origi, Danilo, Omobamidele, Murillo.
01:45 PM GMT
Team news – West Ham vs Burnley
At the London Stadium, Kalvin Phillips starts for West Ham as David Moyes makes four changes from the side which lost to Freiberg earlier this week.
Burnley, meanwhile, are unchanged from the side which lost to Bournemouth last weekend.
West Ham XI: Areola; Coufal, Mavropanos, Aguerd, Cresswell; Soucek, Phillips; Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta; Bowen.
Burnley XI: Trafford; Assignon, O’Shea, Esteve, Taylor, Vitinho, Berge, Cullen, Odobert, Fofana, Bruun Larsen.
01:45 PM GMT
In addition…
Liverpool and Man City’s seismic clash kicks off at 3.45 but we will be bringing you updates from the day’s other two games – West Ham vs Burnley and Brighton vs Nottingham Forest – beforehand.
01:42 PM GMT
Guardiola: ‘I’ll miss my battles with Klopp’
Pep Guardiola says he will miss his battles with Jurgen Klopp but believes tomorrow’s (Sunday) showdown at Anfield may not be their last dance.
Guardiola thinks Klopp will be not be able to resist a return to management once he has re-charged his batteries after leaving Liverpool at the end of the season and they could resume their rivalry in the future.
Manchester City’s visit to Anfield will be the 30th and possibly last head-to-head encounter of two of the best managers of their generation – although they could meet one more time this season at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final or final if they both come through their sixth round ties next weekend.
Guardiola has spoken to Klopp and thinks the German’s passion for the game will mean he will not be able to stay away after his sabbatical.
Klopp, 57, has been touted as a future boss of Germany while Guardiola, 53, has, in the past, hinted at an interest in being an international manager.
“I respect completely his decision, “ he said. “I spoke with him and had the feeling that he will be back sooner or later. He loves football and he explained perfectly the reason why [he is leaving.] He’s still young and I’m still young.”
Guardiola says that Klopp and the quality of his Liverpool team have made him a better manager and he will miss the competitive rivalry between them and their teams who have been involved in some memorable title races in recent years.
“It was always a pleasure and it will be tomorrow as well,” he added. “It’s the way they play. He doesn’t play but the way he makes his teams play football you always learn.”
Klopp has won every major trophy in his nine seasons at Anfield but Guardiola does not think his departure will not make his job at the Etihad any easier because will leave Liverpool set up to be title contenders in the years ahead while Arsenal have emerged as serious contenders and he expects Tottenham and Manchester United to improve next season.
“I would like to think [it will be easier] but I don’t think so,” he said. “Liverpool have always been Liverpool and the contenders are there.
“Arsenal is already there, last season they were our biggest rivals. Look how they play. Liverpool need more than 90 minutes to win the game, Arsenal sometimes need 25 minutes to win the games. That’s why sometimes they are there.
“Tottenham will make a step forward and United will maybe be back having maybe one game a week.
Despite all his success at City, Guardiola has only won once at Anfield in his eight years and that was in an empty stadium during the Covid lockdown in 2020-21 when an injury-hit Liverpool bizarrely lost six successive home games.
He admits the raucous home crowd has been a factor in City’s poor record there but the main reason has been the quality of their opponents.
“The crowd of course is a reason but especially the quality of the team,” he said. “It has always been nice and we accept the challenge.”
Guardiola says he and Klopp have had little time to socialise over the years but he says they will get together once they are no longer rivals.
“Sometimes [we meet] in the corridor before the press conference [after games] and we spent time together with our families when we were honoured to get in the Hall of Fame but in terms of lunch or dinners, it never happened.
“We have to decide who pays, that’s why we didn’t do it! But I think it’s going to happen sooner or later, I would love it.”
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