Two draws in a row gives hope to title challengers, says Phil McNulty, but those results might be the best their rivals can hope for.
BBC SPORT
Manchester City and Liverpool have consistently served up matches that were a full-on football feast since they became the two pre-eminent Premier League superpowers under managers Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
This was not one of them.
Whether it was the early start, heavy legs from international duty or just simply footballers actually being human, this was as close to ordinary, routine and flat as it has ever been from these two sides.
Even the crowd inside Etihad Stadium did not seem to be feeling it, Manchester City boss Guardiola turning to the home supporters and pleading for more noise in the second half in this uncharacteristically quiet atmosphere.
City have a tough act to follow from their Treble of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup last season, with the Uefa Super Cup already added this term, but they took the chance to remind their fans (and perhaps more pointedly Liverpool’s) of those stellar achievements with four flags laid out across the turf before kick-off.
It was the big build-up to what has become the Premier League’s most high-profile game.
And yet this all felt so low-key, apart from a final surge when City tried to snatch back the lead given to them by Erling Haaland – the fastest player to reach 50 Premier League goals, in 48 games – but eroded by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late equaliser.
City were superior to Liverpool and should have won, but perhaps it is another hint that the Premier League may not be the formality many expect this season – although all the smart money should still go on Guardiola’s side, especially once they have Kevin de Bruyne back.
As he pointed out, City’s players remain hungry and the best side in Europe. In Jeremy Doku, they have made a thrilling acquisition with his pace and direct running, although it was a blow to lose Jack Grealish to illness.
There may just be hope for others in results such as the loss at Arsenal and draws at Chelsea and at home to Liverpool.
And those hoping to take City’s crown away will need all the help they can get as this was the first time City had not won at home in 24 games.
Liverpool are one of those teams hoping to cash in on any sign of City slips but realistically they are a team in transition with new signings to integrate. They may even have surprised themselves with the start they have made this season.
Klopp’s side are certainly not making life easy for themselves. They have conceded the opening goal in six consecutive away Premier League games for the first time since November 2006 and this is their first season without a clean sheet in their opening seven away Premier League games since 2004-05.
