Liverpool hit back to hold Man City, end Etihad winning streak

Liverpool’s English defender #66 Trent Alexander-Arnold (L) vies with Manchester City’s Dutch defender #06 Nathan Ake during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)

Liverpool snapped Manchester City’s 23-match winning run at the Etihad as a clash between the Premier League’s top two ended 1-1 on Saturday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fine strike 10 minutes from time salvaged a point for the visitors after Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal put City in front.

A share of the spoils means there remains just one point between the sides and that Arsenal could now take top spot from City if they win at Brentford later on Saturday.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made his displeasure clear at the early kick-off time on the back of an international break where both sides had players who had been in World Cup qualifying action in South America little over 72 hours ago.

Fatigue appeared a factor as the expected fireworks failed to materialise.

The best chances before the break came from City pouncing on sloppy Liverpool passes out from the back.

Alisson Becker was let off the hook by Phil Foden’s weak shot after the Brazilian gifted away possession inside his own box.

But the Liverpool goalkeeper was not so fortunate when his next sliced clearance picked out Nathan Ake.

The Dutch defender dribbled forward before picking out Haaland, who found the far corner with Alisson getting a hand to his low shot.

Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal in his 48th appearances smashed the previous record for the quickest half century held by Andy Cole in 65 matches.

Alisson made some measure of amends by turning