Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City: Benayoun Rescues Point For Reds

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City Line-ups/stats

Premier League results/standings

 Liverpool dropped yet another two points on home soil as Manchester City flexed their potential top-four muscle to match the home side.  Martin Skrtel opened the scoring before City turned the game on its head with goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland. But their defensive frailties and ability to hold onto leads were shown up once again as Yossi Benayoun tapped in the equalizer, leaving both teams with a share of the spoils.

Steven Gerrard was fit and well to take his place in Liverpool's starting line-up, but there was no Glen Johnson - despite undergoing the new placenta treatment. Albert Riera and Benayoun were both on the bench, despite being expected to be out for another fortnight with hamstring injuries and Alberto Aquilani still only a substitute. For Manchester City Nigel De Jong came in for Carlos Tevez who was on the bench , along with Roque Santa Cruz, and there was still no sign of Robinho.

Liverpool were quick out the blocks and immediately put the visitors under pressure. Four minutes in and Steven Gerrard’s winding free-kick is deflated off Kolo Toure onto the head of Skrtel, and it took an outstanding stop from Shay Given to stop the defender from opening his Anfield account. Liverpool then lost Daniel Agger due to a horrible clash of heads and was replaced by Greek international Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Before the substitution Man City had a great chance themselves, when Gareth Barry found himself in acres of space in the Liverpool box, thanks to Javier Mascherano’s failure to cover right-back duties. But Barry couldn’t take advantage of the space and his header was saved by Pepe Reina quite comfortably.

The home sides injury curse continued and were forced into a further change before the 20 minute mark, as Ryan Babel had to replaced by Benayoun before of injury to the Dutchman’s ankle.

Adebayor was then played in by Ireland only to flagged offside and Gerrard flashed a volley wide. The injuries had upset the pattern of the game, and both sides were struggling to get a foothold in the match and offered nothing in attack up to the half-time break, even with six minutes of stoppage time.

The second period started much brighter and the deadlock was finally broken just four minutes in. Pablo Zabaleta fouled David Ngog on the left wing just outside the box, conceding the free-kick. Gerrard fizzed the free-kick into the area and Skrtel got in front of Adebayor to poke the ball past Given. His first ever Liverpool goal in over 60 games for the club.

The goal shocked Man City into life and began to exert some pressure of their own but were failing to find the final ball. In attempt to breathe new life into their attack Mark Hughes bought on Tevez in place of Barry.

After fifteen minutes of constant City pressure, they finally got their breakthrough - and yet again Liverpool were undone at a set-piece. Craig Bellamy whipped a corner in from the left, finding Adebayor with room to spare in the box. And the striker simply headed it past Reina in the absence of any meaningful marking.
 
Five minutes later and City completed the turnaround. Great play from Tevez, who fed Wright-Phillips, and held the ball with his back to goal. Kyriagos was far too tight on him, and the England winger turned him easily and squared for Stephen Ireland to slot into the far corner.

Liverpool’s response was instant, and were level inside 74 seconds. Ngog's cross took a deflection off Zabaltea and Benayoun got in front of the defender to tap in.

The game had suddenly sparkled into life and both teams went for the winner. Wright-Phillips and Tevez both had shots saved and held well by Reina. While Lucas went close with a header from a Gerrard corner.

In the end it was probably the result that neither team wanted but it was both deserved, in this potential top-four defining clash.

Ash Rose, Goal.com

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