Liverpool survive late goals to end Manchester City’s unbeaten run
By Cay North
After twenty-two matches without a loss, Manchester City’s unbeaten run ended at Anfield with a close 4-3 defeat.
The most anticipated Premier League match of the week was the Sunday night clash between Liverpool and Manchester City, and it wouldn’t disappoint neutral fans who tuned in hoping for plenty of excitement and drama.
Manchester City entered with a record of 20 league wins, 2 draws, and no losses, but they would leave with their first defeat of the season after much of the second half was controlled by Liverpool. However, the match wouldn’t be a rout, as they staged a late comeback attempt that fell just short.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain created the opening goal of the match only nine minutes in, when he took advantage of an out of position Otamendi and finished from about 20 yards out. City wouldn’t equalize until the 40th minute, when Leroy Sane managed to get on the end of a cross and evade defenders before beating Loris Karius with his left foot.
After halftime, Liverpool gained an edge in the match and had more success with their pressure based tactics. During the 59th and 62nd minutes, they jumped ahead by two goals after Firmino and Sadio Mane both scored, with the latter goal coming via a clean finish from 18 yards out.
It looked like Liverpool would run away with the match, once Mohamed Salah added the fourth goal by scoring a long ranged chip shot from the midfield. Liverpool were 4-1 up by the 67th minute, but Manchester City showed that they wouldn’t give up their unbeaten run without a fight.
A deflection inside of the box allowed Bernardo Silva to get a free shot on goal in the 84th minute, pulling one back for City and bringing the scoreline to 4-2. In the first minute of stoppage time, Ilkay Gundogan would get on the end of a cross and score, cutting the margin to a one goal lead.
City’s last chance to equalize came in the form of a free kick, but Aguero’s header would only find the side of the net. Additionally, the offside flag was raised. City wouldn’t get another shot, and when the whistle was blown for full-time, their unbeaten streak had come to an end.
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The result also keeps Liverpool in a three-way tie on points for second place, along with rivals Manchester United and Chelsea. City still maintains a 15 point lead, with Liverpool sitting in third place because of goal differential.