Trent Alexander-Arnold gives Liverpool final say at Man City - 6 Talking Points
Trent Alexander-Arnold's fine low strike earned Liverpool a point as they drew 1-1 with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Erling Haaland's 50th Premier League goal in just 48 games handed Pep Guardiola's men a first-half lead, the Norwegian firing into the bottom corner after an errant Alisson kick had presented City with an opportunity to counter.
Alisson, having suffered back to back defeats on Brazil duty, wasn't at his best and was perhaps a little fortunate to get away with being rather weak when claiming a high ball under pressure from Manuel Akanji in the second period; both referee Chris Kavanagh and VAR ruled that an arm on his shoulder from Akanji was enough of a foul to warrant Ruben Dias' having a goal disallowed.
With 80 minutes on the clock and having grown into the game, being much more aggressive int he second half than they had in the opening period, Mohamed Salah teed up Alexander-Arnold on the edge of the box and he drilled hard and low into the back of the net past Ederson.
Both side's pushed late on looking for a winner, but neither could find it as they were both forced to settle for a share of the spoils, with Darwin Nunez and Guardiola clashing at full-time - the Uruguayan had to be restrained by Jurgen Klopp.
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Here are six talking points from the Etihad.
1. Trent has the final say
This was never going to be an easy afternoon for Liverpool's vice-captain. He's had a pretty excellent season so far in this inverted right-back role which he's being asked to play, stepping in to bolster midfield and create from deep.
But he knew when he woke up in his Manchester hotel that it would be a tough task keeping the quicksilver Jeremy Doku in check. However, by and large, he did just about enough on that score, with no-one on either side winning possession more for their side than Alexander-Arnold did (nine times).
The question then was, whether at the other end, he could influence the biggest match of the Premier League season so far, as the top two faced off.
And he did just that, his well-taken goal giving Liverpool a reward for staying in the game when things weren't going their way. He said: "I could sense that there were bodies and I tried to get it across goal. Thankfully it found the bottom corner and it’s one we needed. It was about getting over the line and getting that point."
This is what it's about for Trent now, both for club and country; being smart at one end and making a difference at the other. Impressively, that's precisely what he pulled off here.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored Liverpool's equaliser (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)2. Haaland's record
Fifty goals. Just 48 matches.
When you think about it, it's just silly. Ridiculous.
Andy Cole was an excellent centre-forward and it took him 65 games. Ruud van Nistelrooy was one of the most single-minded strikers the Premier League has ever seen and it took him 68 games. Heck, it took Salah 72 matches. So for Haaland to have not just claimed the record of quickest to 50 Premier League goals, but to have completely obliterated it, really is something.
Physically he's an absolute freak. But mentally he's on another level, so focused, so determined to make his mark. And then there's that ability to finish, particularly with his trusty left foot.
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Put it all together and this is what we have. Perhaps the greatest goalscorer the Premier League has seen. If he stays fit, healthy and does another four-five years at the Etihad, he may well make all records his own.
Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring against Liverpool (AP)3. Liverpool's midfield balance
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