MATCH REPORT AND PLAYER RATINGS - MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 LIVERPOOL

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Manchester City will consider themselves unlucky to come away with merely a point as they drew 1-1 against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, in a game where the main talking point afterwards was a controversial disallowed goal for the Blues.

City's injury hit side put up a good showing from the very start, as they controlled the game much better than in their last fixture, a scintillating 4-4 draw against Chelsea before the international break.

They took the lead as Nathan Ake picked up the pieces from Alisson's skewed drop kick, before wriggling between two Liverpool players and feeding Erling Haaland, who allowed the ball to run across his body before he finished low to the Brazilian's left for his first Premier League goal against the Reds.

This came after Liverpool's only real chance of the game - other than their equalising goal - as Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez's close range header was well met by Ederson in the City goal.

City continued to probe, and came close with a few half chances, and also failed to capitalise on a few dangerous moments on the counter attack, with Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku all having opportunities in which they should've done better to create a chance.

In the second half, the Blues put the ball in the back of the net, as Ruben Dias pounced as Alisson spilled from Alvarez's corner to slam into an empty net. However, referee Chris Kavanagh adjudged Manuel Akanji to have fouled Liverpool's number 1, and VAR agreed with his decision.

According to the rules, it was the right decision, as there was undeniably contact between Akanji and Alisson. However, that particular rule ensures the overprotection of goalkeepers, as had Alisson made that contact on Akanji, there is no way we'd have seen a penalty awarded to City.

Also, even if Akanji hadn't made any contact at all, it's likely that Alisson would've still dropped Alvarez's fierce corner, meaning Akanji's slight contact was unnecessary in the scheme of things.

That, combined with a few wasted chances and near misses, came back to bite City in the behind, as Trent Alexander-Arnold's well struck low effort found its way past Ederson and into the bottom corner to draw Liverpool level in the 80th minute.

The Blues could've snatched it late on, but Haaland's header from yet another decent delivery from Alvarez flashed narrowly wide of the far post. It wouldn't have been underserved, but as it was, a draw is not the end of the world in a match against a very good team.

In the first game at the Etihad in 2023 that they failed to win, City still performed very well, and can not be disheartened by the result. Yes, it can be viewed as two points dropped, but the quality of the other teams competing for the title this year would seem to be lower than recent seasons, which'll give City hope that they remain the favourites to come away with their fourth successive Premier League title.

Here are the player ratings for the draw at the Etihad Stadium:

Ederson - 7/10 - Distribution was sensational; he always seemed to make the correct pass, and played a few ambitious yet accurate balls into Alvarez and Bernardo into midfield. Couldn't have done anything about Alexander-Arnold's well struck effort.

Walker - 7/10 - Had a strong game at right back, keeping Diogo Jota and then Luis Diaz quiet on Liverpool's left hand side. Offered attacking support down the right hand side on occasion, and also moved the ball well up the pitch.

Dias - 7/10 - A much better and more typical Dias performance than his last match against Chelsea. The 26 year old looked his assuring and commanding self again at the heart of City's defence, and on any other day could've been rewarded with his first goal of the season.

Akanji - 7.5/10 - Had a really good game stepping forward into midfield, a role in which he looked comfortable in. The Swiss international is in a fine run of form at the moment, and is making himself an undroppable presence in City's side.

Ake - 9/10 - Stunning performance from Ake, who kept Mohammed Salah extremely quiet down Liverpool's right hand side. He was solid and composed all match, with his drop of the shoulder and threaded through pass to Haaland in the lead up to the goal reminiscent of one Lionel Messi!

Rodri - 7/10 - Other than a few sloppy moments, Rodri was as dependable as ever at the base of City's midfield. He was the first one onto loose balls, and kept things ticking nicely in the centre of the park, particularly in the first half.

Alvarez - 6/10 - The Argentinian had an underwhelming game overall. He was a level below the rest of City's players in terms of keeping the ball, and didn't offer much of an attacking threat. Having said that, he was City's most reliable chance creator in the game, due to his wicked corner deliveries.

Bernardo - 9/10 - Knitting everything together in midfield, Bernardo Silva performed wonderfully against Liverpool once again. He buzzed around, making tackles, receiving and carrying the ball and also offering an attacking threat by underlapping Doku.

Foden - 6.5/10 - Very quiet from Foden, who, playing a strange hybrid role where he wasn't quite on the right wing, struggled for touches in dangerous positions. Should've scored too, as he was presented with a glorious opportunity from Alisson's misplaced pass.

Haaland - 8.5/10 - Led the line well, and held the ball up supremely. Took his goal excellently, and was so unfortunate not to bag a brace with a late header that was glanced agonisingly wide of the post.

Doku - 7.5/10 - I thought Doku was poor in the first half, and was wasteful in possession. He improved in the second period however, and became City's most dangerous outlet, s he skinned his man numerous times down the left hand side to create chances for City in transition.

Substitutes: N/A