Liverpool 2-2 Man City: player ratings, man of the match, heroes and villains

Liverpool’s latest battle against Manchester City proved to be a second-half thriller which ended in a 2-2 draw at Anfield.

The game burst into life in the 59th minute when Sadio Mane opened the scoring.

However, City hit back 10 minutes later through Phil Foden.

Jurgen Klopp’s men restored their lead on 76 minutes through a wonderful individual goal from Mo Salah.

But there’d be more drama when Kevin De Bruyne earned the Premier League champions a point with nine minutes remaining via a Joel Matip deflection.

The heroes

- Mo Salah: in a game that needed world-class quality, the winger provided it. He was the architect for Mane’s opening goal when he raced clear. Then Salah’s ninth effort of the season will surely be a goal-of-the-season contender when he skipped past three defenders before finishing.

- Phil Foden: like Salah, he grabbed himself a goal and an assist. Foden was City’s best player throughout, arrowing a low finish to make it 1-1 before his cutback made its way to De Bruyne to finish. Man of the match.

- Alisson Becker: the Reds were indebted to their goalkeeper in the first half. He made a fine save from Foden before racing off his line to thwart the City forward yet again with his feet.

The villains

- James Milner: after a magnificent performance at Porto on Tuesday, the veteran struggled against City. He was given the runaround by Foden throughout. Lucky not to give away a penalty in the first period and then be sent off when he hacked down the breaking Bernado Silva after the interval. Taken off soon afterwards.

Ruben Dias: should have heeded that Mane was trying to slip in behind him after several failed attempts in the first half. However, Dias didn’t spot the run of the Senegalese, which allowed him in at goal.

Joel Matip: superb throughout the majority of the clash and probably Liverpool’s best defender. Perhaps it’s a bit harsh on Matip but his unconventional attempt to block De Bruyne’s shot took it beyond Alisson.

Player ratings

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson 7, Milner 4 (Gomez 78), Matip 6, Van Dijk 6, Robertson 6, Fabinho 6, Henderson 6, Jones 6 Mane 7, Salah 8, Jota 6 (Firmino 68; 6).

Man City (4-3-3): Ederson 6, Walker 6, Ruben Dias 5, Laporte 6, Cancelo 6, Rodri 6, Silva 8, De Bruyne 6, Foden 8, Grealish 5 (Sterling 66; 6), Gabriel Jesus 6.

What’s next for Liverpool

The Reds have a 13-day break until they’re next in action because of the international fixtures.

Klopp’s men make the trip to Watford - who sacked manager Xisco Munoz earlier o Sunday despite taking seven points from as many games after promotion to the top flight.