PLAYER RATINGS: De Bruyne peaked at the right time while Van Dijk gave possession away

  /  autty

Sunday's top of the table clash between Manchester City and Liverpool ended in a draw after an exciting game of football at the Etihad Stadium.

Leaders Man City and second-placed Liverpool are still separated by one point after their Premier League showdown on Sunday afternoon.

Sportsmail's Jack Gaughan has rated the players' performances on Sunday afternoon.

MANCHESTER CITY (4-2-3-1)

EDERSON - 6

Swept up as expected with ice in his veins. Home fans panicked when almost losing possession on his line.

KYLE WALKER – 5.5

Won’t want to look back on Sadio Mane’s goal again. Horribly out of position. Had been playing well.

JOHN STONES - 6

Kept it really simple when Jurgen Klopp’s side secured a foothold. Back to basics did the job.

AYMERIC LAPORTE - 7

Seemingly communication issues in the back line but two of Laporte’s last-ditch tackles were vital.

JOAO CANCELO – 7

Very difficult to pick up from deep and a constant pest; clever assist for the second goal before half-time.

RODRI - 6.5

Liverpool didn’t allow the Spaniard to see nearly as much of the ball as normal. Few crucial interventions.

BERNARDO SILVA - 7

All-action as always. The Portuguese’s little individual mistakes were in keeping with the breathless encounter.

GABRIEL JESUS – 7.5

Thrown in for the biggest game because of his workrate and then popped up with a first league goal since September.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE – 8

Having a barnstorming few weeks and ran proceedings for spells. Has reached his peak at the right time for City.

PHIL FODEN - 7

Some moments of staggering quality, particularly when running at pace. Chances never quite dropped or him.

RAHEEM STERLING - 6

Unfortunate to see goal disallowed for a tight offside. Tireless but decision-making occasionally lacked.

Subs

Riyad Mahrez (for Sterling 75)

Jack Grealish (for Jesus 83)

Subs not used: Steffen, Ake, Gundogan, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, McAtee, Lavia

Manager – PEP GUARDIOLA

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)

ALISSON - 6

Completed a couple decent stops, although the Brazilian’s distribution was an issue early in the game.

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 6.5

Superb going forward, a hand in both goals, but shoddy defensively to allow Jesus’ goal at the back post.

JOEL MATIP – 5.5

Not overly comfortable with the high line he was asked to play. A tough assignment against City’s deep runners.

VIRGIL VAN DIJK - 7

Gave possession away on plenty of occasions but did produce a huge block to spurn Jesus at 2-2.

ANDREW ROBERTSON - 6

Very similar to the other three full backs on show: very good with the ball, not quite so much without it.

JORDAN HENDERSON – 5.5

A peripheral figure in the midfield battle. There were others who made far larger contributions.

FABINHO - 6.5

Needless foul to give away before the first goal but improved significantly thereafter. Helped Liverpool’s control.

THIAGO – 7

Game-splitting crossfield pass opened the hosts up for Diogo Jota’s goal and tenacious defensively.

MOHAMED SALAH – 7.5

Got through some admirable work going the wrong way and moments of class in the final third.

DIOGO JOTA – 7.5

Major threat in behind and a crucial component of their attempts to stretch the City back four.

SADIO MANE – 7

A constant problem in behind and got some joy out of Walker. Clinical finish just after the break.

Subs

Luis Diaz (for Jota 70) 6

Naby Keita (for Henderson 78)

Roberto Firmino (for Mane 84)

Subs not used: Kelleher, Konate, Milner, Gomez, Jones, Tsimikas

Manager – JURGEN KLOPP

Referee: ANTHONY TAYLOR

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