Match reportAlexis Mac Allister scores penalty as Liverpool draw 1-1 with Man City at Anfield

Alexis Mac Allister’s penalty five minutes into the second half cancelled out John Stones’ 24th-minute opener to ensure the spoils were shared between the sides who began the weekend first and second in the table.

The Reds spent the majority of the second half on top and had chances to score a winner, though City twice hit the woodwork and an absorbing match that unfolded at a ferocious tempo finished all square in front of a new Anfield league record attendance of 59,947.

Jürgen Klopp’s team are therefore now behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference, with City only one point further back.

Team news

Klopp made three changes from Thursday’s 5-1 win in Prague, with Conor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk returning to the starting XI.

Ibrahima Konate was ruled out through injury, while Mohamed Salah was again named on the bench.

Liverpool: Kelleher, Gomez, Endo, Van Dijk, Diaz, Szoboszlai (Salah, 61), Nunez (Gakpo, 76), Mac Allister, Elliott, Quansah, Bradley (Robertson, 61).

Unused subs: Adrian, Tsimikas, Clark, McConnell, Nallo, Koumas.

First half

City had the better of an opening 10 minutes played out amid an Anfield atmosphere that crackled with electricity.

Caoimhin Kelleher got down sharply to deny Julian Alvarez and then palmed away a fierce Kevin De Bruyne drive and, thereafter, Liverpool gained a foothold.

A trademark switch from Van Dijk located Bradley and the right-back powered in a low cross that had a fraction too much power on it for Darwin Nunez to reach at the back post.

The Reds then saw a goal disallowed after Nunez, who had strayed offside, squared for Luis Diaz to apply the finishing touch but, just as the balance of play had evened out, City struck through Stones, who stole in at the near post to convert De Bruyne’s corner.

Klopp’s team quickly shook off the disappointment and sought a route back into the contest.

Szoboszlai miscued his header after he’d been found by a superb Harvey Elliott cross at the conclusion of a patient, probing sequence of passing and – after Erling Haaland had seen an effort on the counter saved by Kelleher – Diaz whipped a shot narrowly wide following a turnover.

There was still time for Kyle Walker and Bradley to spurn presentable opportunities to set up goals before a breathless first half drew to a close.

Second half

There was to be no let-up in intensity or incident after the restart and, just two minutes into the second period, Liverpool were awarded a penalty.

Nunez’s pace allowed him to intercept Nathan Ake’s backpass ahead of Ederson and the City goalkeeper duly clattered into the No.9.

A lengthy delay ensued as Ederson, who later went off injured, received treatment but Mac Allister’s composure never wavered and he stepped up to bury his spot-kick into the top corner.

A Phil Foden chance aside – the City forward was thwarted by Kelleher – the Reds were now enjoying their first spell of sustained dominance as they were roared on by a raucous home crowd.

Diaz’s first touch eluded him, allowing substitute ’keeper Stefan Ortega to gather, after he’d played a one-two with Nunez and Szoboszlai sliced an effort wide, before Klopp introduced Salah and Andy Robertson from the bench.

Salah’s first involvement of note was nearly a stunning assist for Diaz, but the Colombian placed wide after being put through on goal by Salah’s threaded through ball.

Ortega then tipped a low curler from Mac Allister wide before smothering when the sliding Nunez connected with Robertson’s delivery, before the crossbar was rattled at the other end when Kelleher punched Ake’s cross off Foden.

City substitute Jeremy Doku went so close to snatching all three points for the visitors when he struck the inside of the post in the 89th minute, with Liverpool then rallying for one last push in stoppage time.

More drama ensued as Elliott saw a goal disallowed after Salah had strayed offside before crossing to Cody Gakpo, and the Reds saw two appeals for penalties waved away after Salah and Mac Allister went down in the area.

Attendance: 59,947