Manchester City vs Liverpool lived up to the hype of the buildup as both teams kept alive their hopes of winning the Premier League after a thrilling stalemate at the Etihad.
Goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus gave the home side lead twice in the contest but each time Liverpool equalized things through Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane for a 2-2 draw.
The match itself was frantic from the start.
First chance of the game fell to Raheem Sterling after five minutes but Alisson blocked his shot from close range. Less than a minute later, De Bruyne’s long-range effort deflected off Joel Matip and into the back of the net to give the home side the first lead of the game.
Liverpool answered back after just 13 minutes as Mane set up Jota inside the box to squeeze the ball under City’s goalkeeper Ederson.
City started to gain the upper hand and went back ahead after 37 minutes when Jesus managed to stay onside and finish off Joao Cancelo’s cross at the back post.
Jota almost pulled things back before halftime when he was put through on goal but Aymeric Laporte produced a fine last-ditch challenge to prevent the equalizer.
Liverpool did not have to wait long for an equalizer as just 48 seconds into the second half Mane smashed a Salah pass into the top corner.
The home advantage then told for City as they began to take a foothold in the game once again. Sterling thought his strike had regained the lead for the hosts after the hour mark but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR.
Substitute Riyad Mahrez then missed a golden opportunity in the final seconds to seal the win but he lofted his close-range effort over the bar.
The result means that Pep Guardiola’s side remains one point ahead of the Merseyside club with seven league matches remaining.
Manchester City vs Liverpool will again grace the screens next Saturday in the FA Cup semifinal.
