Liverpool miss an opportunity but make a title statement

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp embraces Manchester City's  Pep Guardiola at the end of the English Premier League football match at Anfield  

If Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola really have just met for the very last time in the Premier League their farewell fixture has left an incredible legacy; not just the memory of a game that summed up everything that is beguiling about both managers and their rivalry but also the promise of the most exciting title race of all time.

As Klopp’s dynamic, thrilling, heavy metal football ripped City to shreds in the second half, the atmosphere inside Anfield was so guttural, so all-consuming, that it was hard to remember that City’s calm, methodical and incisive game had dominated the first.

The contrast in styles, which has made Liverpool the most difficult fixture for Guardiola over a period of many years, was a football fan’s dream, and so was the result. It means that just one point separates Arsenal, Liverpool and City at the top of the table – and so even if these two managers will not meet again, this breathless fixture has set up a very special end to the 2023-24 season.

Who on earth would want to predict the outcome given the way this epic encounter ebbed and flowed, with the Kop bellowing Liverpool into wave after wave of second-half attacks, having seen Alexix MacAllister’s penalty equalise John Stone’s first-half opener?

Arsenal, who remain top of the table on goal difference, may well feel they were the winners on a day when Klopp and Guardiola couldn’t be separated, no matter how many blows they took. But there were also ominous signs for the Gunners that Liverpool have an extra edge to them right now. Chance after chance came and went with City, who lost goalkeeper Ederson to injury giving away the penalty from Nathan Ake’s woeful back-pass, somehow hanging on. But even then the visitors managed two gilt-edged chances themselves, with both Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku both hitting the woodwork.

So, who is happier with the point?

Given the way that City were pummelled after the break, you’d probably say Guardiola. But there was something about the energy and belief of Liverpool’s second-half performance that made a statement in its own right; it felt like the home side wanted to win just that little bit more than their rivals. And that’s a big point to make with just 10 games to go in the season.

Yes, Liverpool will be frustrated they couldn’t find a winner; but the body language was of a team that wanted to win, believed they could win and had the energy and desire to do so.

Perhaps that’s why Stones described City’s overriding emotion as one of deflation after the final whistle – whilst Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk’s summing up felt more positive. “We just have to enjoy the ride,” he said.

These things are marginal, but the gut feeling on this performance says Liverpool’s desire is just that micro per cent higher – and plays into the narrative that Klopp announcing his farewell early could drive his team to a very special finale.

He, marginally, won the tactical battle, too. By keeping Mo Salah on the bench the German was almost preparing for City’s early dominance in the game and setting things up for a heavyweight finish in the second half. That’s exactly how it played out - and it was almost enough to take the points.

Guardiola, meanwhile, had to take off Kevin De Bruyne to try and save his team from being overrun, a move that didn’t go down well with the Belgian.

The hug between the two managers at the end of the match, however, summed up their mutual respect and just how little there is between the teams; and both can still win multiple trophies this season. In City’s case it could be back-to-back Trebles and for Liverpool there are four trophies at stake with one already in the bag.

It feels like we could be heading towards one last battle on the final day of the season when the two managers go head-to-head in a different format; Klopp on his emotional farewell at home to Wolves and Guardiola at the other end of the M62 against West Ham at the Etihad.

The winner of that battle would mean more than this result, no matter how vital if felt. But both coaches will know that despite all the fanfare surrounding their own rivalry, they cannot rule Arsenal out of the equation.

There are certainly some big days ahead for all three teams. City, for instance, face Arsenal at home on Easter Sunday on the same day that Liverpool host Brighton at Anfield.

Liverpool also have an away trip to Old Trafford in April and finish the campaign with three awkward fixtures (Tottenham at home, Villa away and Wolves in the grand finale on Sunday 19t May.

City, meanwhile, still have to go to Tottenham in April but end the campaign with Wolves at home, Fulham away and West Ham on their own patch.

Perhaps Arsenal will feel they have the better fixture list in the final 10 games; but their run-in does include a North London derby at Spurs in April and a trip to Old Trafford in May, before ending the campaign at home to Everton.

All three at home on the final day, with the Premier League wondering where to send the trophy; you couldn’t write it any better. The Klopp v Guardiola story isn’t over just yet.