How Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah matched up in Man City-Liverpool clash
De Bruyne fired City into an early lead at the Etihad.
The top-of-the-table clash between Premier League rivals Manchester and Liverpool ended 2-2 after an entertaining encounter at the Etihad Stadium.
It was billed as a crunch game in the title race and the result ensured the advantage remained with City, who kept their one-point lead with seven fixtures to play.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the performances of City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Influence
Salah: Had a small but not decisive part in the build-up to Liverpool’s first goal. First real chance to run at the defence came midway through the first half but his decision to knock the ball past Aymeric Laporte and run was the wrong one. Picked out Sadio Mane brilliantly for Liverpool’s second equaliser and also played in Jota who almost scored their third.
Goal threat
De Bruyne: His fifth-minute strike, albeit deflected, gave goalkeeper Alisson Becker no chance as it went in off a post. Hit the side-netting with a shot on the turn midway through the first half.
Salah: Did not have a shot in anger until an effort deflected wide in the second half as he cut in from the right and, to add insult to injury, he did not even receive a corner.
Individual contribution
Salah: Tracked back much more than he is expected to do to cover the runs of Joao Cancelo but offered little going forward in the first half and looked short of confidence to take players on. Provided the assist for Liverpool’s second equaliser and continued to work tirelessly up and down the pitch but that impacted his threat in the final third.
Overall
