When Liverpool plays Manchester City, the world comes to a stop. The sheer quality displayed during Sunday's 2-2 draw at Anfield showed that the rivalry equals the old Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger's greatest teams back in the early 2000s.
Nothing can ever compare to the sense of occasion and suspense that surrounded the bulk of United-Arsenal matches between 1998 and 2004 when the two teams shared seven Premier League championships.
However, nostalgia has a way of making things appear better in the past, rejecting whatever the present day has to offer as a bad copy. The season is still young, and there will be more to be served. For punters looking for an online betting link for EPL matches, Vwin provides more than just that. This Asian sportsbook offers sports news and great odds on matches.
While those games from the past conjure up images of legendary players like Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Vieira, and Roy Keane scoring spectacular goals, Liverpool and City's recent history has its own list of unforgettable contributions, which were added to at Anfield when Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Phil Foden, and Kevin De Bruyne scored sensational goals.
Salah's performance, in particular, was among the best the league has ever seen. With his back to goal, the Egypt international gathered the ball well outside the City penalty area, evading several players before turning Aymeric Laporte and firing past Ederson from a tight angle.
“Only the best players in the world score goals like this,” enthused Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. “It was the first touch, the first challenge he wins, then going round and putting it on his right foot, finishing the move as he did. Absolutely exceptional.”
After Foden's neat finish had cancelled out Mane's opener, which was set up by another Salah dash, the goal restored Liverpool's advantage. Anfield was buzzing with expectation of another victory over the champs, but De Bruyne's finish from a quick City burst secured Pep Guardiola's team a point.
Beyond the four second-half goals, the talent on show at both ends of the field was outstanding. Alisson Becker, for example, made saves similar to those made by Peter Schmeichel and David Seaman for Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively.
Meanwhile, Rodri's late block denied Liverpool what appeared to be a certain Fabinho winner; it was a fitting end to a personal duel that demonstrated that, while the game's evolution has removed the physical confrontations that defined Keane and Vieira's battles, the premier league still sees tough-tackling and cynical challenges.
Despite the fact that City's possession game lacked a centre-forward to put the finishing touches on their excellent buildup play, Foden and De Bruyne produced magnificent goals. And, despite being pushed back for much of the game, Liverpool showcased their razor-sharp cutting edge when Mane and Salah scored.
Teams will be judged on the number of trophies they will have won in the future. Under Guardiola, City has won everything domestically numerous times, but Klopp has made Liverpool champions of England, Europe, and the world.
Seven games into the Premier League season, there is nothing to choose between them again; this tense match hinted at both sides battling for the championship, as well as everything else, next May.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 years ago
