Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool: Reds Undone by Defensive Errors Yet Again

On Super Bowl Sunday, Manchester City and Liverpool treated us to an outstanding premier league match up. The game was proclaimed “The Game Before the Game” by Fox Soccer. It did not disappoint in any way, shape, or form. Manchester City came into this game in second place in the Barclay’s Premier League, ten points behind Manchester United. City drew 0-0 away to QPR on Wednesday. Liverpool was matched up against Arsenal, and they also drew in their game with the score of 2-2. Both teams were coming into this game looking for a win. For City, they were looking to keep pace with the Red Devils and for Liverpool; they were looking to keep pace to getting into the top four. Manchester City would host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in this one.

In the first half, both teams came out attacking very strong. Liverpool had a bit of an edge by having possession of the ball and taking more shots at Man City goalie, Joe Hart. Then in the twenty-third minute, Eden Dzeko found the back of the net, with a cross pass assist from James Milner. It was Dzeko’s eleventh goal this season in the premier league. However, the Reds did not lay down and fought back. After all, they were underdogs coming into this game. In the twenty-ninth minute, Daniel Sturridge equalized for the Reds with a shot from outside of the eighteen yard box, the assist coming from Steven Gerrard. The goal was Sturridge’s fourth goal in the last six games since joining Liverpool. At the half, the score was tied 1-1.

The second half saw more of the same. Both teams came out strong, with Liverpool overwhelming Man City’s defense and keeping the ball on the Citizens side of the field. In the seventy-second minute, Steven Gerrard scored a long distant shot for the Reds. It was a bad clearance by the Citizens, which caused the amazing goal from Gerrard. The goal looked to take the electricity out of the Etihad Stadium that was until the seventy-eighth minute. Sergio “Kun” Aguero capitalized by a mistake from Liverpool keeper, Pepe Reina, who was far off his line. Aguero equalized and gave the Citizens a chance to take the lead and three points they desperately needed.

The last few minutes saw both teams attacking at each end with shot that nearly went in for goal and set-piece opportunities. Each team looked like they could have taken a late game winning goal. It was certainly an exciting last ten plus minutes at the Etihad Stadium. In the end, the game ended up being a tie. Manchester City 2 – Liverpool 2.

With the draw, Manchester City finds themselves nine points back of the league lead. Manchester City will go on the road to take on Southampton next week. Liverpool also finds themselves nine points back of the top four teams. Liverpool will host West Brom next week in a must win match if the Reds hope to have a chance to climb back to the European places of the English Premier League.