Liverpool draws with Manchester City 2-2 – Recap and Video Highlights
Liverpool hosted Manchester City in the English Premier League on Saturday, November 21, 2009. The match took place at Anfield as Steven Gerrard returned to the line-up for Liverpool but Fernando Torres was out with an injury. Were Liverpool able to get a much needed win or did Manchester City show they are ready to challenge for a top four finish? Here’s a recap of the match along with video highlights.
Liverpool draws with Manchester City 2-2 – Video Highlights
1st Half
Liverpool came out with chances early and nearly scored in the 5th minute. A free kick was sent in the box by Gerrard and headed on goal by Skrtel but a terrific save from City goalkeeper Shay Given kept it scoreless. Possession in the first 10 minutes was dominated by Liverpool as Man City didn’t have any chances. Around the 10 minute mark, City started to get some possession and had a great chance in the 11th minute.
A long ball was played into the box where Gareth Barry had a wide open header that was saved by Pepe Reina. The pace of the match slowed down a lot in the next ten minutes as Liverpool would have to make two substitutions due to injuries within the first 20 minutes. Babel and Agger were both taken out as Kyrgiakos and Benayoun came into the match.
The momentum with clearly with Liverpool in the first half as Gerrard helped to control the midfield. Despite having lots of possession, Liverpool didn’t have many great chances and really missed the presence of Fernando Torres up front. The first half neared an end with it remaining 0-0 but the home side getting the better chances. Because of the injuries early, there would be six minutes of stoppage time in the first half.
It would remain at 0-0 with not many great chances for either side and Liverpool’s best chance on the early header from Skrtel.
2nd Half
The second half started out with City getting a chance early but unable to convert. They came out strong in the second half but would concede a goal off a set piece. Liverpool would score in the 50th minute with a goal off a free kick by Skrtel. It was not great defending on the set piece and woke up the Anfield crowd that had become quiet.
Man City continued to get space in the final third when attacking and the Liverpool defense showed signs of cracking. After scoring the goal, Liverpool played more defensive while Man City became more aggressive. City had most of the possession in the second half and it would pay off with the equalizer. On a corner kick in the 69th minute, Emmanuel Adebayor was unmarked and headed a shot that bounced and into the corner past Pepe Reine to make it 1-1. It was a great header but poor defending to leave Adebayor wide open.
City controlled to dominate play in the second half and would take the lead with another goal. Wright-Phillips took a great first touch in the box and the sent a pass towards goal where Stephen Ireland was wide open to beat Pepe Reina for a 2-1 lead. The goal came in the 77th minute. Only a minute later, Liverpool would tie it up at 2-2 as the game opened up dramatically. They were in the attack and a shot was deflected wide of goal but Benayoun timed it perfectly to get there first and put it past Given.
It was poor defending from City who seemed asleep and surprised by the run from Benayoun. The final 10 or so minutes were frantic as both teams had numerous chances and the crowd really got into the match. The defenses tried to catch their breath as they were under constant pressure. Liverpool had most of the possession late in the second half as they looked for one more goal.
Liverpool had one great chance late on a corner kick as Lucas had a header that he missed wide. He was unmarked and from close range but couldn’t get it on goal. It would be the last chance of the match for either side and a 2-2 draw.
| SCORING SUMMARY | |
| Liverpool | Manchester City |
| Martin Skrtel (50) | Emmanuel Adebayor (69) |
| Yossi Benayoun (77) | Stephen Ireland (76) |
| MATCH STATS | ||
| Liverpool | Manchester City | |
| Shots (on Goal) | 16(4) | 9(4) |
| Fouls | 10 | 13 |
| Corner Kicks | 7 | 3 |
| Offsides | 1 | 4 |
| Time of Possession | 57% | 43% |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 0 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Saves | 2 | 2 |
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[...] Liverpool draws with Manchester City 2-2 – Recap and Video Highlights “Liverpool hosted Manchester City in the English Premier League on Saturday, November 21, 2009. The match took place at Anfield as Steven Gerrard returned to the line-up for Liverpool but Fernando Torres was out with an injury. Were Liverpool able to get a much needed win or did Manchester City show they are ready to challenge for a top four finish? Here’s a recap of the match along with video highlights.” (The 90th Minute) [...]