Riyad Mahrez missed an 85th-minute penalty as the Premier League’s top two, Manchester City and Liverpool, drew 0-0 at Anfield.
The visitors had three previous claims for a spot-kick before Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk’s challenge on substitute Leroy Sane eventually resulted in one, but £60 million summer signing Mahrez blazed over.
It resulted in the first goalless draw between these two at Anfield since 1986 – and also City’s first clean sheet at the ground since then. But Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will be celebrating Monday’s third anniversary at the club as the happier manager.
The point allowed City to regain top spot from Chelsea, who had briefly taken over after their win over Southampton earlier in the day, but their opponents dropped to third.
However, the top three are all on 20 points and separated by goal difference only.
30 SECOND-REPORT
A top-of-the-table clash between the Premier League’s most-exciting sides offered so much – and delivered so little.
Despite the fevered pre-match billing, there was no shot on target until 62 minutes and no 2018/19 Premier League first half had fewer shots (three).
The drama was saved for the final throes. Serene centre-back Van Dijk’s uncharacteristic lunge on substitute Leroy Sane threatened disaster, prior to Mahrez’s disastrous effort in the absence of Argentina hot shot Sergio Aguero.
3 - With Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City all yet to suffer a league defeat this term, this is just the second time in Premier League history that as many as three teams have gone unbeaten in their opening eight games of a single season (also 2011-12). Race.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 7, 2018
THE GOOD
The case for the defence – It is easy to deride this contest as instantly forgettable.
But this viewpoint does a disservice to the defenders, and defensive systems, on show. To shut-out such weight of attacking talent augurs well for both sides’ hopes in the Champions League.
The bigger picture – Sunday’s big winners were to be found more than 200 miles south.
Chelsea’s imposing 3-0 victory at Southampton, allied with this sterile stalemate, made it a three-way tie at the top after eight matches. Few predicted Maurizio Sarri’s work would be conducted with such haste.
THE BAD
So much attacking talent, so little excitement – The Silvas, Aguero, Raheem Stertling and Mahrez v Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
These are attacks to strike fear into any opponent. That they misfired so badly cannot just be down to improved defensive displays.
When such tight margins exit, the quality of Kevin De Bruyne’s set pieces offers a profitable solution. His imminent return from injury will be welcomed.
Referee gives Reds a helping hand – Neither side deserved to emerge with three points from this dull contest.
But for the hosts, their share of spoils owed much to the actions of referee Martin Atkinson. The champions could rightly feel aggrieved when recalled Croatia centre-back Dejan Lovren’s kick through Aguero went unpunished, plus a Van Dijk handball under pressure from Brazil anchor man Fernandinho.
Although judged by Mahrez’s horrific late spot-kick, it wouldn’t have mattered.
A solid show from our Man of the Match @Laporte 🔵#lfcvcity #mancity pic.twitter.com/oY7IDEwLr5
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 7, 2018
TACTICAL TURNING POINT
Pep puts the handbrake on – The defensive acumen of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola often goes without comment.
Sunday’s showdown saw conservatism reign. Klopp’s decision to ditch adventurous right-back Trent Alexander Arnold in favour of England team-mate Joe Gomez highlighted his measured approach.
In such tight margins, the German may bemoan the summer call not to push through a move for France maestro Nabil Fekir – City’s Champions League-tormentor in September.
After emphatically losing his last three matches against the Reds, Guardiola visibly put the reins on. Les Bleus left-back Benjamin Mendy’s muted contribution was symbolic of this approach.
At Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, he pumped in nine crosses. This time, it was just three.
VERDICTS
LIVERPOOL: C
Relief will be the overriding emotion after Mahrez’s ballooned penalty-kick threatened Stanley Park, rather than Alisson’s goal.
Worries will again be reserved for Egypt forward Mohamed Salah. It’s now four games without registering for last term’s 44-goal superstar.
The epic, high-octane victories over City will not be repeated again until the ‘Egyptian King’ looks befitting of his crown.
MAN CITY: C
A point away at Anfield is nothing to sniff at, especially when 2017/18 featured a pair of emphatic defeats.
The on-field call to allow Mahrez to step up from 12 yards, rather than Gabriel Jesus, seems silly in hindsight. Plus, he’s now wasted five of his last eight penalties.
Fine margins threaten to define a title race which looks far tighter than last term’s record-breaking march to success. Will this decision hurt City come May?
