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Manchester City 1-1 Liverpool: Opportunity missed

By J.C. Gonzalez

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City reacts after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Martin Rickett - Pool/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City reacts after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Martin Rickett - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Manchester City did enough to get a win against Liverpool, but two key mistakes cost them two massive points.

Heading into Manchester City’s first true test of the season, three points would be massive as this team needed to send a message that they have found consistency once again. Liverpool are the defending champions and title favorites, and a point against them isn’t terrible, but the result is emblematic of City’s season: the signs of better are there, but the end result is disappointing.

City were the better side for the majority of the game in between two key moments. First, Kyle Walker foolishly gave away a penalty against Sadio Mané which was promptly dispatched by Mohamed Salah for 1-0. From there, City did not let their heads drop and found an equalizer through a brilliant turn and finish from Gabriel Jesus. With the momentum firmly in their favor, they won a penalty of their own to take complete control. Kevin De Bruyne, with the captain’s armband, stepped up in a moment very much akin to his goal from the spot against Real Madrid, but this time came up short, missing from 12 yards.

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City created more and were the better team throughout a second half that petered out, and in the end, Liverpool will be far more satisfied with the result. The Reds are second in the table, level with Leicester at the top, while City currently continue to languish in 10th with just 12 points from seven games, a 65-point pace. There was a real opportunity here, and it could be one that comes back to haunt City, especially given their poor record in the return fixture at Anfield. Manchester City did not completely capitulate, but this feels more like a defeat than a victory.