By Benjamin Wanguba
A 46th minute equalizer from Senegalese star Sadio Mane, was enough to ensure Liverpool get a point against League leaders Manchester City.
The tie which was highly contested was a high-octane affair that saw Liverpool come from behind twice at the Etihad. Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring in the fifth minute with his strike deflecting off Joel Matip to find its way to the back of the net. Soon after a strike from in form Diogo Jota would bring Liverpool at par with the league leaders once again. Liverpool almost went ahead in the 23rd minute when City Goalkeeper Ederson slipped missing the ball which almost went into his own net before quickly ushering it away. Gabriel Jesus would then reinstate City’s lead in the 36th minute with the match heading to half time with a 2-1 score.
Sadio Mane would then score the equalizer early in the second half. In the 63rd minute, Sterling thought he had won the tie for city when he calmly slid the ball under Allison but it would later emerge after a VAR check that he was offside when he received the brilliant pass from De Bruyne. Both teams continued at each other but the game would result in a stalemate. The draw means that Manchester City remain at 1st although just 1 point ahead of Liverpool in 2nd. This ensures that the title race still remains hot with both teams eager to lift the trophy once again. Of the remaining fixtures, Liverpool has the harder challenge as they will have to face Manchester united, Tottenham and Wolves who are all embroiled in a fight for a top 4 slot. Manchester city’s toughest upcoming opposition on the other hand is West Ham with them being expected to breeze over their other opponents. This means that the title race could even go up to the last day.
Liverpool and Manchester city will clash again on Saturday 16th April when they meet in the semi finals of the FA cup. The winner of that match will meet in the finals with whoever wins between Chelsea and Crystal palace.