City salvage a point at Anfield
Carlos Tevez celebrates scoring City's equaliser
Carlos Tevez pounced on a Martin Skrtel mistake to continue his Manchester City rehabilitation by snatching a 2-2 draw for the champions at Liverpool.
Liverpool were much improved after crashing 3-0 at West Brom in their opener and twice led a pulsating clash with goals from Skrtel and Luis Suarez either side of a Yaya Toure effort.
But new manager Brendan Rodgers was denied his first league win as City again produced the sort of fightback they are beginning to specialise in.
Mario Balotelli partnered Tevez up front for City on his first start since being sent off at Arsenal last April - and on a ground where he was dismissed last year - but despite looking focused, had a quiet game.
Liverpool should have gone ahead early on when the lively Sterling whipped in a fine cross for Fabio Borini but the Italian volleyed wide. Tevez almost made him pay instantly as he latched on to a well-weighted pass from Samir Nasri and rounded Reina but the angle was too tight and he did well enough to hit the far post.
Kolo Toure blocked an effort by Borini, Suarez curled wide and City captain Vincent Kompany almost sliced a vicious low curling cross from Gerrard into his own net. But the Reds were not to be denied any longer as Skrtel came forward for the resulting corner and powered a header past Joe Hart from Gerrard's cross.
City were stung by the goal and struggled to make an impression as Liverpool dominated the remainder of the first half.
Roberto Mancini began to make changes around the hour as he sought a way back into the game. Former Everton man Jack Rodwell predictably entered to boos from the home fans when he replaced Nasri and Edin Dzeko came on for Balotelli.
Within moments City were back level, but it owed much to defensive mistakes as Tevez beat Sterling on the right and fired in a cross which the outstretched Reina was unable to claim. Kelly was wrong-footed by the Spaniard's attempts to gather and could not prevent the ball bouncing off him into the path of Yaya Toure, who swept home from close range.
Liverpool did not dwell on the disappointment and produced the perfect response. Rodwell was penalised for handball 25 yards from goal and Suarez stepped up to bend a low effort past an ineffective wall. Yet just as it seemed Liverpool had the measure of the champions, Skrtel gifted them a way back into the game as Tevez seized on his poor pass back and calmly beat Reina.
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Jon Whewell.
It seems pretty pointless to me your good self and all the United and Liverpool fans constantly coming on these sites and **** about who's won the most trophies. All that really matters is the present. I guess Forest and Leeds are the best examples of this.
Why not focus on what was a very good Liverpool performance from a team who now have the management and philosophy to give them stability going forward and the potential to get back on track soon.
City weren't great, but I think most teams will struggle to get points at Anfield this season.
cracking game looked like the old liverpool.......long way to go yet, a few good results will help the confidence, a draw against city is good, even tho we gifted their goals; let's hope Rooney gets healed from that nasty injury soon, looked bloody painful, even tho he's a red, i wish him a speedy recovery, and looking forward to the utd game
Congratulations Liverpool, I can confidently say that you deserved to win that game, much much better than previous games. You have to be disappointed about Skrtel though, 2 big mistakes in 2 games, the boy needs to wake up. Coates was solid, Allen controlled, Sterling scared the defence and Suarez never stopped running but all gthe players should hold their heads high.
The big question now is can you build on it and find consistancy in your performances?
Was very impressed with LFC today. Apart from the first 20 minutes they dominated the game and didn't let their heads drop despite conceding 2 silly goals. A lot of good possession and neat passing.
I think you will have some bad days over the coming months because of what Rodgers is trying to do but you will emerge a better team for it in the long run.
I was on here defending the signing of Joe Allen 2 weeks ago after a lot of LFC fans slated his arrival. It's only one match but he was very good today and hardly gave the ball away, which is vital if Rodgers philosophy is to succeed. Maybe those that were against him might be changing their opinions?
Sterling looks to be a little gem and I thought it was interesting to see Rodgers bring on Shelvey, who played well, instead of Henderson. It's clear who he trusts in possession the most out of the two of them.
Well played LFC.
City ..... not at the races yet so this might be a vital point at the end of season.
Good perfomance from LFC but need keep consistency ! city missed Aquero and also Silva for most of the match. LFC is hard to beat on anfield, but I am expecting losing points with parking bus teams, with the ones like stoke, sunderland and also newcastle, spurs....and swansea. We´ll see how it will work with Sahin,. need creativity in midfield and stop stoopid back passing.
