Jurgen Klopp slams VAR as City and Liverpool settle for a 1-1 draw at Anfield

Manchester City and Liverpool settle for 1-1 draw at Anfield, handing Arsenal top spot; controversy surrounds late VAR decision.

Jeremy Doku crashes into Alexis Mac Allister at the tail end of the feisty affair between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday. It ended 1-1. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Manchester City and Liverpool settled for a 1-1 draw on Sunday at Anfield to hand Arsenal the top spot for the first time since Christmas Day.

It was always going to be a feisty affair as Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola met for their final dance in the Premier League following the German manager’s decision to step down at the end of the current season and with the title race entering a pivotal stage.

Arsenal won on Saturday with a late Kai Havertz header, sending the Gunners to the top with a win for any of the two sides. City and Liverpool are set to reshape the log, but a 1-1 draw in the end means Arsenal goes into the week on top.

Jurgen Klopp once again showed faith in Harvey Elliot, Quansah, and Connor Bradley, handing them a starting role in arguably their biggest game of the season. Mohammed Salah started on the bench alongside Andy Robertson, while Darwin Nunez led the line.

Manchester City had Mattheus Nunez and Jeremy Doku back in the squad, with both starting from the bench, and it was the champions who drew the first blood. A well-drilled corner kick routine, straight from the training ground, went in off John Stones to set the evening on fire.

Liverpool grew into the game and troubled their visitors time after time. It ended 0-1 at halftime, with Liverpool knowing only a win would return them to the top of the log, which at the time was occupied by Manchester City.

Liverpool came out smoking in the second half, and an unforced error from Nathan Ake led to Ederson committing a foul on Nunez in the City box. Michael Oliver pointed to the spot without hesitation. Alexis MacAllister stepped up and converted from six yards to settle matters and set up a grand finale.

Mohammed Salah and Robertson came on shortly after the restart, and it was only a matter of time before it became end-to-end stuff. Luis Dias had a couple of clear chances to win it, but he fluffed his lines while Jeremy Doku hit the woodwork late on.

The Belgian was a subject of controversy at the tail end after he launched an attack on the Liverpool goal scorer in the 99^th minute, but VAR Stuart Atwell didn’t think it was a clear and obvious error, something Jurgen Klopp described as a colossal error.