The fate of the Premier League may have been decided this Sunday at Anfield.
In a foggy afternoon due to the weather but radiant due to the game offered on the pitch by the two teams, Liverpool and Manchester City, who were vying for the lead in the championship with ten days to go, parted ways in a match draw (1-1).
A result that suits no one.
At the end of the weekend, and the 28th day of the championship, it is Arsenal, winner against Brentford (2-1) on Saturday, who now occupies the leader's seat, on goal difference.
If this result could cost both clubs a lot when it comes time to take stock at the end of the season, spectators who were lucky enough to attend the meeting will especially remember its breathtaking intensity, particularly marked in the first half.
For 45 minutes, the two teams constantly ran from one surface to the other.
In this little game, it was Liverpool who had the first emotions, having a goal from Luis Diaz denied for an offside position (18th), but it was Manchester City who came out the best .
MANCHESTER CITY STARTS THE HOSTILITIES AND OPENS THE SCORE THANKS TO JOHN STONES!
⚡️#LIVMCI |
#PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/FGyw1E0UqQ
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) March 10, 2024
Formidably efficient, the Skyblues opened the scoring on a highlight from the Reds.
Taking advantage of a corner hit by Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones appeared at the near post to propel the ball into the back of Caoimhin Kelleher's net (23rd).
More precise, more dangerous, the reigning champions then took the match into their own hands, leaving the threat of Erling Haaland hovering over the opposing defense.
But Liverpool never gave up, creating several clear chances, from the header over Dominik Szoboszlai (31st) to Diaz's shot close to the post (41st).
A second act dominated by Liverpool
Jürgen Klopp's players also came out of the locker room after half-time with the same desire, taking the Citizens by surprise.
On a very bad back pass from Nathan Aké, Ederson was forced to do the irreparable, mowing down Darwin Nunez in his area.
Double penalty for the Brazilian goalkeeper: he first took Alexis McAllister's penalty (1-1, 50th) then had to come off with an injury...
LIVERPOOL EQUALIZE JUST AFTER HALF-TIME!
🔴
Mac Allister transforms the penalty caused by Nunez with this missed pass from Aké and Ederson's foul 🥶#LIVMCI |
#PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/QPX6fEKtj5
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) March 10, 2024
After this goal, the second act was largely dominated by the Reds, brimming with energy, with all the good shots but clumsy finishing.
Luis Diaz did not come far from putting his team in front, missing a face-to-face (62nd) then suffering the return of Kyle Walker (63rd).
The foundations were then laid for an unbreathable end to the match, during which City found the post and missed the hold-up, with a clear cross strike from Jérémy Doku (89th).
At the end of the match the two coaches warmly hugged each other, it was their last clash in the Premier League since Jürgen Klopp announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
The end of an era…
In view of the spectacle offered during this summit, it is difficult not to salivate thinking of the next big shock on the calendar: the Manchester City-Arsenal match on March 31.
A final direct clash between title contenders in the championship.
A duel which will certainly be decisive for the title since the two clubs currently have the same number of points (64) and are only a short head ahead of Liverpool (63).
In England, everything still remains to be done…