Why Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister was falling asleep in Jurgen Klopp's pre-match tactical briefing ahead of Man City clash

The Reds dragged themselves back into Saturday's encounter with a determined display to take a draw which opens up the Premier League title race. Liverpool trailed to Erling Haaland's first-half strike but held on despite an uncharacteristically nervous performance from goalkeeper Alisson to level late on with Trent Alexander-Arnold's arrowed strike. After the game, Mac Allister lifted the lid on some of the exhaustion felt among the squad, many of whom returned late in the week after a gruelling return trip to South America.

"Honestly, it is so hard to play like this," Mac Allister told LFC TV after the match. "Yesterday we were in a meeting talking about Man City and the way we wanted to play, and I couldn't keep my eyes open.

"It's very tough. Jet lag, long trip, but it is what it is. We like playing football, it's what we want, to win, and that's why we did our best. It was a very tough game for us. It's what we expected, they are a very good team, but I think it was a fair result. They had most of the possession but they didn't have many chances."

Mac Allister played all 90 minutes of Argentina's historic win over Brazil at the Maracana on Tuesday night. Transatlantic trips for qualifying double-headers for the Premier League's South American stars is nothing new. But this season has proved particularly gruelling for the Liverpool contingent who have been selected to play in the Saturday lunchtime television slot after all three international breaks, much to the dismay of Klopp. With two wins and a creditable draw at the Etihad to show for those fixtures, Liverpool will feel relieved, but the situation is far from ideal in an increasingly-packed football calendar.

There is some respite as the Reds now have five days preparation and no travel to endure before they take on LASK in the Europa League on Thursday night. While Liverpool are already assured of a place in the knockout rounds, Klopp will be keen to top the group - thus avoiding the play-off round and another two games on the schedule.