This is what a football ad is supposed to look like! The Manchester City v Liverpool showdown thrilled the crowd

In recent years, especially in our country, but sometimes also in top leagues, we have become accustomed to the fact that tense title battles are more about tactical battles than beautiful football. That theory, however, was shredded by Manchester City and Liverpool on Sunday.

Eight rounds to go, the difference between first-placed Manchester City and Liverpool a single point. Did you expect a tactical battle where a point wouldn’t matter too much to anyone? Well, you’d be wrong, because both teams entered the pitch with a clear objective – to win.

The tactics of both teams matched that. Both the Citizens and Reds defences were incredibly high, which on the one hand allowed for high pressing, but on the other hand there was a danger in passes behind the defence. And both offenses took advantage of that.

The match started very sharply, in the 5th minute Sterling got a chance after a beautiful action of the home team, but he hit only Alisson. However, the home team didn’t have to worry about it for long, because a moment later Kevin De Bruyne shot with his left hand from behind the whitewash, his shot was parried by Matip and bounced off the bar into the net.

But the Reds were not to be shamed and in the 13th minute the game was level. A cross into the box was knocked under by top assistant Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota made no mistake. After that, the Citizens took the baton again, but several good chances went unused, with a large number of ground centres flying into the Liverpool box.

In the 36th minute, the Etihad Stadium was rejoicing again. After a corner kick, Cancelo sent a centre into the box and the forgotten Gabriel Jesus made it 2-1. But at the half-time break there was probably a storm in the Liverpool cabin, because the arrival of Klopp’s charges was rocketing.

Storm in the locker room

In the 46th minute, Mané took advantage of Salah’s beautiful pass behind the defence to equalise. This put the Reds on the back foot and at that point they were the better team on the pitch. Every attacking action was very dangerous and it looked like they would score a third goal very soon.

But gradually Guardiola’s charges equalised the pressure, got the ball back and with careful possession they got back to the reins of the game. Gradually they took the baton, until in the 63rd minute a beautiful De Bruyne pass was used by Sterling, but his joy was spoiled by VAR, which found a close offside.

There was no further goal, but it was a truly brilliant spectacle. You couldn’t take your eyes off the screen for a second without missing something. It’s clear that the players have great quality and it can’t be compared to the Czech league. Although it does give in some ways, the desire to win, to play offensively and not to tactic, there was a diametric difference.

There were only words of praise for this game. “It was a feast for the eyes! A fantastic match between two great teams had everything. It was a showcase of the best English football has to offer,” said former great goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel in the studio.

Mahrez still threw away two chances at the end, but Guardiola doesn’t regret it so much. “That’s the way it is, but we are still in the lead and we have everything in our hands. The players were absolutely amazing today. I became a coach for games like this and I have no regrets today,” Guardiola said.

“It was like a boxing match. If you slowed down for a moment, you immediately got hit. The pace of the game was unbelievable and I really enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun. A draw is a fair result and anything can happen in the remaining seven games, ” added Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp.

Source: Premier League