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Clash of the Titans lives up to the billing

Writer's picture: Michael OakleyMichael Oakley


5.38pm - Getting ready for this massive clash. Liverpool v Manchester City, a match that has so much history, no that's not right, it has no history. City didn't matter until they got 'invested in'.

5.40 - All about Pep and Klopp, might do a shot every time the commentators bring up the coaches rather than talking about the players.

5.42 - Nope, not doing that, Klopp's farewell tour will have me in hospital within 15 minutes. I'll stick to having a beer when I want, which is now.

5.45 - Anfield is humming, 'You'll Never Walk Alone' being sung at full volume. Ironic that I only know one City fan and he always walks alone ...

5.47 - City cut through the Reds and Alvarez has an early shot, a comfortable save by not- Alisson (Kelleher).

5.53 - City have started the quicker of the sides but Reds are finding their feet, going to be end-to-end.

5.56 - Anfield crowd, which will be important today, are doing their part getting behind this young Liverpool side.

5.58 - Bradley has Ake in a spin and Nunez just can't get on the end of the cross, smashing into the post, which is ironic as he's hit the woodwork more than any player this season.

6.02 - Referee Michael Oliver getting hounded by both sides, he's going to have to be strong today.

6.04 - Nunez is flagged offside, correctly, so Diaz's tap-in doesn't count but a big warning for the City backline.

6.08 - Stones scores from a corner with a front post tap-in. Nobody went with him and he was all alone to take the lead for his side. Made me laugh for some reason.

6.14 - Multitasking like I'm not supposed to be able to as a man and I need another beer as well. Sundays are getting hectic, gold, cricket, football more cricket. Good game and happy to hear that the Liverpool fans are still in full voice even though they are behind.

6.16 - Reds have a great chance but Szoboszlai can't hit the target, he really should have.

6.18 - All Liverpool now, City hanging on, which is strange to see but the home side can't make the breakthrough.

6.21 - City are back. It's hard to keep them pinned down for long.

6.26 - Diaz twists and turns and gets a shot away from outside the box but it's just wide. Six shots for the Reds so far and none on target. City have also had six but four have forced a save.

6.31 - Chances at both ends as the teams try to end the half with a bang.

6.33 - Szoboszlai finally forces a save out of Ederson with the last kick of the first half, but the Brazilian was always comfortable with the free-kick from that far out. City deserve to be ahead at the break but they will feel that one goal is not enough at Anfield. Interestingly, the crowd have gone a bit quiet when the home side has the ball and seem to be focused on making noise more when City have the ball. Maybe booing is their love language ... Time for another beer as the rain continues to ruin my plans for a braai, at least the hail has stopped.


6.49 - Big second half for both these sides and league leaders Arsenal, could well be season-defining. City will be hard to catch if they are top at the end of the weekend so Reds know they have to go hard.

6.51 - And hard they go. Ederson gives away a penalty as Nunez chases a poor Ake backpass and goes over the City keeper's leg. Liverpool do like coming from behind.

6.52 - Ederson seems hurt and is struggling ... the thot plickens ... Liverpool players making sure nobody from City gets close to the spot, hilarious!

6.54 - Mac Allister keeps cool and slots it home from the spot. Ederson goes the right way but had no chance, top penalty. Game on!

6.57 - Ederson seems to be really hurt, I'll get a beer while this drags on ...

6.59 - Ortega is now between the sticks, Liverpool need to test him early and often.

7.01 - Foden is denied by Kelleher, the atmosphere has been ramped up and so has the agro between the players.

7.04 - Salah and Robertson come on, that'll calm things down ...

7.06 - Salah's first time with the ball at his feet almost (probably should have) results in a goal as he puts Diaz through on goal but he can't find the target. Lack of finishing might bite the Reds.

7.09 - All Liverpool right now, haven't seen City on the backfoot like this in ages. Liverpool need to make it count though, City won't waste their chances.

7.12 - Breathless and thirsty stuff, need another beer.

7.15 - Ortega denies Nunez from close in, a massive save by the German (I know right?). Crowd is loud, a proper 12th man now.

7.17 - WTF? Kelleher punches a cross straight into Foden and it hits the bar, that would have been a weird way to retake the lead.

7.19 - City are nowhere near their fluid best at the moment but at least they have some ball. Credit to Liverpool, have the champions rattled.

7.24 - Ortega standing up to all the pressure well, been huge since he came on.

7.28 - No fingernails left at Anfield. Both these sides like a late goal ...

7.32 - Trying to do four things at once is not easy, especially with this game going on. Two minutes left before injury-time starts and Doku hits the post for City out of nowhere and then Salah goes up the other end and has his shot saved by Ortega. Wow!

7.34 - Eight minutes of added time, big number but seems about right, this will be stressful for fans, awesome for the neutrals.

7.37 - Liverpool look more likely to score in injury-time but it is City ...

7.40 - Salah falls over (surprise, surprise) and tries to win a penalty, VAR says 'no dice young man'.

7.43 - Another penalty appeal, VAR says ... No! But another corner to the Reds.

7.44 - And that's it, 1-1 and the winners are Arsenal who stay top of the league on goal difference ahead of Liverpool and one point ahead of City. This is going to be a hell of a title race. Great game, football at its finest. I need another beer and a lie down.

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