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Captain Van Dijk, he's the boss
In a completely overhauled defense and without his usual starters, Van Dijk proved once again that he is the boss, during this clash at the top of the Premier League between Liverpool and Manchester City (1-1).
With Alexander-Arnold and Konaté injured and Robertson on the bench, the Dutchman had to lead a line of four made up of youngsters Quansah and Bradley, as well as the versatile Gomez.
From the outset, number 4 set an example by intercepting Phil Foden (1st), he was in the mood of the match.
The entire first half he held the walls of Anfield, as when he applied the brakes against Haaland who went at full speed towards the goal (39th), but was too well framed by the defender to worry Kelleher.
He also carried out a significant number of interventions on the ground or in the air, allowing LFC to breathe when necessary.
Patient, then aggressive when necessary, Van Dijk played fair this Sunday, and did not hit a false note.
Guardiola's secret weapon
Big matches are decided by details, and Pep Guardiola knows this better than anyone.
While Van Dijk contains the few Cititzens ardor, the Catalan feels, the moment to release his secret weapon will arrive.
On a harmless corner, the combination came to life.
Aké pushed Mac Allister away from his near post, leaving the way open for John Stones to arrive, ready to cut De Bruyne's perfect cross to the ground.
Liverpool were fooled, and the English defender just had to push the ball into the net.
But hey, it's obviously easier to set up when Magician Kévin De Bruyne is in charge, and Darwin Nunez decides to let go of John Stones' marking.
Still, good work in training pays off, and costs very high points in this intense title race.
Arsenal are rubbing their hands
And speaking of the race for the English crown, this result is frustrating for some, while others are rubbing their hands.
If City had won, the suspense would have been less certain knowing the strength of the three-time defending champion to maintain his lead.
Liverpool could have taken a two-point lead at the top.
Finally, this score is the most interesting 10 days before the end of the championship.
We are close on the Premier League podium.
Thanks to their recent cards, Arsenal are ahead in goal average with 64 units, just like Liverpool who are hot on the heels of the Gunners on equal points, behind the outgoing champions who are only a little behind (63 pts).
Two weeks before a Manchester City – Arsenal poster, we are already salivating.
This final straight line promises to be crazy.
FLOPS
Haaland, Salah, Nunez, Gakpo, Alvarez, all silent
When we look at the forces present for this clash, the list of attackers is filled with the elite of world football.
But in reality, no offensive player managed to find the fault, even worse, everyone was silent.
Starting with Haaland, who remained hidden behind the backs of Van Dijk and Quansah, and who only had one opportunity, and which he missed being hypnotized by the Reds captain.
Nunez had another problem, that of positioning.
From the first minute of play, the Uruguayan was whistled offside.
Almost a quarter of an hour later, he did it again and ruined the Reds' great opportunity, concluded by Luiz Diaz in Ederson's goal.
Placed on the left wing, Alvarez did what he could in a position that was not his, and tried in vain.
Entering the game, Salah and Gakpo lacked accuracy, or even courage, in certain situations.
In the end, they all harvested, but none more than Luis Diaz.
Diaz ate the scoresheet
One player may have more regrets than others, and his name is Luis Diaz.
Liverpool's number 7 had the best opportunities in a sick attack, but it seems he was not in the best shape.
Before the break, the Colombian passed the City defenders one by one before finding himself in a striking position, for his first miss of the match.
Even though he was pretty good at hitting, one action will stick in his head if the Reds narrowly lose the title.
In the 61st Salah, barely returned, throws him alone in the depth face-to-face with Ortega, arriving at the moment of truth, Luis Diaz opens his foot too much and misses the inevitable.
Several missed checks in goal positions later, he can blame himself.
Penalty or no penalty?
The end of the match, particularly animated by Liverpool's forcing in the citizen area, ended with a strange play.
On one of the last chance corners in added time, Alexis Mac Allister rushed for the ball and received a high kick from Jérémy Doku.
While the fault seems clear, especially since this situation could have led to a potential goal ball for Klopp's men, Michael Oliver does not flinch.
A few seconds are enough for the headset to make its decision, no second penalty awarded.
Without having consulted the VAR screen, the English referee rushed the end of the match, with the score 1-1.
A result which, if it had been changed, could have offered a completely different twist at the end of the season.
Decisive for the title race?
The future will tell.