In the end, it was near misses and hits for both teams, but Liverpool and Manchester City played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the lights under Anfield. While both teams had the opportunity to take all three points home, none will be disappointed with the result. Arsenal, however, were the biggest gainers on the night, with Mikel Arteta’s men on top of the table courtesy of a goal difference.
Liverpool would definitely be happier of the two sides, considering they were playing with a far more weakened squad. With Trent Alexander Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, and Joel Matip unavailable and Mohamed Salah only fit enough for a substitute appearance, Jurgen Klopp’s men had their work cut out but went toe-to-toe with the defending champions.
So, what did the data say about the best and perhaps the most crucial game of the 20232-4 Premier League season?
Liverpool vs Manchester City stats
Even though Liverpool played with a more inexperienced squad, they were the better team for most of the game. According to xValue, Liverpool’s xG was 2.3 compared to Manchester City’s 1.44. They also dominated in the Field Tilt metric, with Liverpool holding 51.6 percent of possession in City’s half. This was the only time a team had managed to keep more off the ball than City in either of the two halves.
Liverpool also dominated City on other metrics, such as pressures initiated, with Darwin leading the charge and executing 14 counter-pressing actions. Liverpool did not hold back as they pressed City in their half. In fact, for the better part of the game, Manchester City resorted to quick counter-attacks to exploit Liverpool’s high back line.
Liverpool vs. Man City
Most final third passes: Luis Diaz (16/19)
Most dribbles completed: Luis Diaz (4/6)
Most chances created: Luis Diaz (3)
Most big chances missed: Luis Diaz (1)Could have been the match winner… 🥈🥈🥈 pic.twitter.com/iectrMI1vE
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 10, 2024
In fact, besides the 15-30 minutes of the game, Liverpool had the most attacking threat. City were pinned back to the wall, as can be seen in their defensive discipline stats. Liverpool’s equaliser came after a horrendous back pass from Nathan Ake, which left Ederson no option other than to tackle Nunes and concede a penalty.
Ake lost the ball 12 times, the most by any player on the team. The lack of ball also meant City had to put in more effort which is why they covered 117.1 kilometres in the games compared to 116.8 kilometres by Liverpool.
2 – The team that has scored first in the last eight Premier League meetings between Liverpool and Manchester City has only gone on to win twice, while the Reds have recovered a league-high 23 points from losing positions in the competition this term. Truce. pic.twitter.com/o3TKXI6xHG
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 10, 2024
The game was also the first time this season that City played in fewer passes than their opponents (473-415) and played half open-play passes than them (15-7). We need to remind ourselves that these stats came against a Liverpool side missing some of its key players.
Liverpool also made 32 touches in City’s box, while the visitors only managed 18. Liverpool’s defence also managed to do the first thing on their list: keep a certain Erling Haaland quiet. The Norwegian, who is the league’s top-scorer, had an xG rating of 0.09
Other attempts by City were also thwarted by brilliant goalkeeping by Caoimhin Kelleher, who made five crucial saves. His opposite number, Ederson, was replaced by Stefan Ortega after being injured. However, the German didn’t disappoint, making four saves in just one half.
Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz were the main threats despite the latter being hugely wasteful. Nunez managed a 0.16 rating on the Expected Threat (xT) from passing, while Diaz had a 0.10 rating from xT from dribbles.
Conclusion
From a neutral fan’s view, this was the perfect game that lived up to the huge expectations. In addition, this result also means that the top three teams in the league are separated by just one point. With Manchester City and Arsenal yet to face each other, this gives us one of the most intensely fought title races in Premier League history.
We have already covered the final run up of the three teams, and this result has added more parameters to the permutations and combinations that all teams will be pondering. Whatever happens on May 19, buckle up for a thrilling finish to the 2023-24 Premier League season.