FULL HD: Liverpool 1‐1 Man City player ratings: Mac Allister shines as Van Dijk wins Haaland battle

FULL HD: Liverpool 1‐1 Man City player ratings: Mac Allister shines as Van Dijk wins Haaland battle

Liverpool and Man City draw in thrilling Premier League title showdown

Alexis Mac Allister fired home a second-half penalty as Liverpool salvaged a point against Manchester City in a breathless 1-1 blockbuster at Anfield that left Arsenal top of the table.

Here, Telegraph Sport assesses the performances of the players on both sides.

Liverpool

Caoimhin Kelleher

A critical save from Foden in the second half, and master of catching ricochets from the post. Biggest tribute to him since Alisson’s injury is the world’s best has not been missed 7/10

Joe Gomez

Gomez has become accustomed to playing at least two positions per match. His one-on-one with Foden was one of many highlights of the first half, and then he switched wings. Showed why he is a must for the England squad. 8/10

Jarell Quansah

There will be calls for him to be in the senior England squad soon, too. Excelled in the biggest game of his career, a reflection of his stellar development. 8/10

Jarell Quansah defended well for Liverpool CREDIT: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt

Virgil van Dijk

A couple of duels with Haaland when the world held its breath as they did when Ali took on Foreman and Frazier. Haaland has often said Van Dijk is his toughest opponent. Nothing has changed after Sunday. 8/10

Conor Bradley

Looked like he had the beating of Ake on the occasions he was fed possession in the first. Liverpool were guilty of not using him enough. Was replaced for Robertson after tiring. 7/10

Dominik Szoboszlai

When Stones kept vacating his centre-half position, Szoboszlai was often best placed to take advantage against a backline short of numbers. How Klopp must wish he had a few games more sharpness in his legs. 6/10

Wataru Endo

Scampered around Rodri to ensure City never enjoyed the midfield supremacy that is their custom. Has proven such a clever purchase. 7/10

Alexis Mac Allister

His first touch, speed of thought and vision is so good he could comfortably slot in City’s midfield. Coolness personified with his penalty, and must be wondering why he didn’t get the chance to take a second one. 9/10

Harvey Elliott

Has been more effective as a substitute all season. Gave everything but could not find the killer pass. Another player whose maturity defies his age, senior England recognition beckoning. 6/10

Luis Diaz

Never stops. He should have been the matchwinner, but the performance will divide opinion given he is there for the end product. Hard to be overly critical given his efforts. 7/10

Darwin Nunez

Wanted the responsibility to lead the line and was unhappy to be subbed early. He looked knackered by then, though. His directness was a feature of the game. 7/10

Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez is fouled by Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson CREDIT: AP/Jon Super

Manchester City

Ederson

Normally the most reliable insurance policy in the league but horrible misjudgment to give away penalty for a foul on Nunez and managed to injure himself in the process. 5/10

Kyle Walker

His speed and ability to come across and bail out his centre backs if teams get in behind is vital to the way City play. Had his hands full with Diaz. 7/10

Manuel Akanji

Liverpool rushed and rattled City’s defenders and Akanji was fortunate when Dominik Szoboszlai headed over as he’d failed to track his run. But stood up to the pressure well. 7/10

Nathan Ake

Twisted in and out by Bradley in the first half which almost led to a goal and then poor back pass gifted Liverpool their equaliser. Looked under duress throughout but did not lose the plot after mistake. 5/10

Rodri

He has been superb this season but this was an uncharacteristically bad performance from the Spain international. Weak tackle on Diaz on the edge of his box should have led to a goal and he did not offer the same protective blanket in midfield to stop Liverpool counters. 6/10

Manchester City’s Rodrigo (right) and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister fight for the ball CREDIT: AP/Jon Super

John Stones

Pops up all over the pitch these days as Manchester City’s mystery man. Brilliantly composed in both penalty boxes and timed his run and finish perfectly to give City the lead from a corner. 8/10

Phil Foden

A joy to watch, gliding with the ball at his feet, he caused all sorts of problems out wide or through the middle. Also got back to help Walker defensively, but missed a great chance in the second half when denied by Kelleher and hit the crossbar too. 7/10

Bernardo Silva

There were some typically nice touches and used the ball well, but he was well contained by the Liverpool defence and the pace of the game actually seemed a little too much for him to handle. 6/10

Kevin De Bruyne

As Roy Keane said in his half time analysis, few players in the world could deliver a corner with the perfect pace and curl to give Stones a tap in. Was dominant in the first period but looked tired after the break and was replaced. Did not stop him moaning about the decision though. 6/10

Julian Alvarez

If there is anything that can be termed a weak link in this City side it is Alvarez. Has come in from some criticism from his own fans in recent weeks and he was poor at Anfield. Giving the ball away far too often. 4/10

Erling Haaland

If you did not know how brilliant the striker is and how deadly he is in front of goal, this was a game where you would have wondered what all the fuss was about, taken in isolation. A passenger for most of it and looked disheartened by the end. 5/10