City's 11-month home run halted

Alexander-Arnold's late equaliser helps Liverpool hold City, keeps alive hopes of three-way battle at the top of the table

- Dhiman Sarkar

Exactly how much Trent Alexander-Arnold's goal will influence the championship race will be known in the months to come but what it did on Saturday was keep alive hopes of a three-way battle at the top. And show that Liverpool are on their way back.

The 80th minute goal cancelled Erling Haaland's 50th Premier League strike that had put the defending champions ahead in the 27th minute. Saturday's 1-1 draw was the first time in 24 games that league leaders City had dropped points at home since December 31, 2022. That's a stat as ridiculous as Haaland getting to 50 goals in 48 games.

"It is no coincidence they win so many home games," Juergen Klopp told the official broadcasters. The Liverpool manager praised City's quality and fluidity and that they could have won. His team, with a new midfield, are "still in the process," said Klopp. Precisely why this was "a very good point".

Pep Guardiola too sounded satisfied. "That was an excellent performance," he told BBC. I am really proud that after eight years we are still playing that way. We were really good in all departments and needed to be against an incredible team."