Haaland and Alexander-Arnold exchange blows in stalemate

After the last international break of 2023, the Premier League kicked off with one of the top matches in Europe. Liverpool travelled to Manchester to play against Man City at Etihad Stadium. Fans of both teams were very excited about the start of this gameweek. From now on it's going to be a very busy period in the Premier League. What better way to start this run of fixtures than with a win against a big rival?

The deadlock in this match was broken by City's sharpshooter Erling Haaland in the 27th minute, courtesy of a sublime piece of play from Nathan Aké. The Dutch defender weaved through Liverpool’s press with a perfect dribble before laying off an impeccable pass to Haaland. Positioned on the edge of the box, City's prolific striker made no mistake, sending a precise shot past the Liverpool goalkeeper.

A Draw that feels like two points dropped for both sides

As the game wore on, both sides engaged in a tactical battle, with chances at a premium. It was not until the 80th minute that Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold levelled the score. Mohamed Salah set up his teammate, who found himself with just enough room on the right side of the box to unleash a well-placed shot that found the back of the net.

Closing thoughts

The result will likely leave both teams with mixed feelings. For City, it was an opportunity to claim all three points and make a statement in the title race. For Liverpool, it was a tough away fixture where any points taken can be seen as a positive outcome, but the late equaliser showed their resolve.

The match may not have had the flurry of goals seen in City's recent fixtures, but it was a testament to the high level of competition at the upper echelons of English football. As both teams shook hands, the mutual respect was evident, along with the shared realisation that the title race is far from over.

With this draw, City continues to accumulate valuable points, although the two dropped points may prove crucial in the long run. Liverpool will take this performance as a sign of their enduring spirit, ready to fight another day in their quest for Premier League glory.