Riyad Mahrez missed a late penalty for champions Manchester City as they drew 0-0 with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday evening.
In a game that was billed as one of the clashes of the season so far, both Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s outfits really failed to sparkle. The match did slightly liven up in the closing stages and City were given a golden chance to win it from the penalty spot. However, Mahrez was wasteful as he missed the target to let the hosts off the hook.
Low key start to proceedings
Mohamed Salah had the best chances of the opening period as he at first fired wide before just failing to latch onto an excellent lofted ball from Jordan Henderson.
The visitors thought they deserved a penalty as Sergio Aguero appeared to be shoved over in the box by Dejan Lovren but the referee was unmoved.
Klopp’s men were then forced into an early change as James Milner went down and was replaced by fellow midfielder Naby Keita.
Chances finally carved out
Both sides struggled to really muster a shot on target but City thought again they should have been awarded a spot kick as the ball brushed Virgil van Dijk on the arm but the referee instead gave a foul for Liverpool for a push on the Dutch defender.
The best chance of the game arguably fell to Mahrez as he dribbled away from Andrew Robertson but the Algerian fizzed a low effort wide of the far post. He then again found more space but could only shoot straight at Alisson in the Liverpool goal.
Joe Gomez then teed up Salah midway through the second-half. He had plenty of time but his curling effort only served to find the arms of Ederson.
Spurned opportunities the story of the game at Anfield
The chances continued to come and go but neither side were able to find the net. Salah, symptomatic of his season so far, did well to pluck the ball out of the sky but could only blaze it high over the crossbar.
Opportunities also kept coming the way of Mahrez as he received the ball at the back post but again he could not beat Alisson.
Mahrez spurns huge chance from the spot
City eventually did get the penalty that they were shouting for all evening. Substitute Leroy Sane raced into the box and was taken down by van Dijk. The referee finally pointed to the spot and it was Mahrez who stepped up. Once again, he failed to beat Alisson in the Liverpool goal as he sent the ball high into the stand behind the goal.
Final Thoughts
After being talked up so much, this game really was one for the defences. The two teams effectively cancelled each other out with neither side able to find the net. Having said that, Guardiola will be disappointed that his side were unable to seal the three points due to Mahrez’s miss from the spot. The two teams now go into the international break first and third in the Premier League table.
Match Report
Liverpool: Alisson (7); Gomez (7), Lovren (7), van Dijk (7), Robertson (6); Milner (6) (Keita (7), 29′), Henderson (7), Wijnaldum (7); Salah (6), Firmino (5) (Sturridge (6), 72′), Mane (5).
Manchester City: Ederson (6); Walker (6), Stones (7), Laporte (7), Mendy (6); B. Silva (7), Fernandinho (7), D. Silva (6); Mahrez (5), Aguero (5) (Jesus (5), 65′), Sterling (6) (Sane (N/A), 76′).
Goals: N/A
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Yellow Cards: B. Silva (21′), Aguero (56′), Mendy (64′), Wijnaldum (90′)
Red Cards: N/A
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