Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk admits that the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Premier League title rivals Manchester City is “bittersweet”.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has admitted that Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Premier League title rivals Manchester City left a “bittersweet” taste in the mouth.
In the final English top-flight showdown between Pep Guardiola and the departing Jurgen Klopp, only a win would suffice for both managers if their side was to return to the top of the table with 10 games left to play.
Arsenal had usurped both of their titles foes by beating Brentford on Saturday evening, and with a multitude of players out injured – while Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson failed to make the first XI – Liverpool made the worse start at Anfield.
The Reds were undone by a magnificent set-piece routine for the Citizens’ opener, as Kevin De Bruyne’s exquisite low delivery to the near post found John Stones, who prodded the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher from less than a yard out.
Stones’s delivery invoked a fire within the Liverpool contingent, though, and Klopp’s side were awarded a penalty in the second minute of the second half as Ederson wiped out Darwin Nunez.
With Salah still confined to the bench, Alexis Mac Allister picked out the top corner with a stunning spot kick to draw the Reds level, and Klopp’s men were totally dominant in the remaining 40 minutes of normal time.
However, the hosts spurned a glut of chances to take the lead – Luis Diaz, a real livewire otherwise, was particularly guilty of a lack of killer instinct – and while Harvey Elliott struck in injury time, the offside flag had long gone up.
With the final attack of the game, Jeremy Doku – who had hit the post moments earlier – miraculously escaped giving away a penalty for a high boot onto Mac Allister’s chest, seemingly being saved by getting a slight touch on the ball.
Speaking to Sky Sports News after the game, Van Dijk – who was named the Player of the Match – said: “Second half was obviously much better than 15-20 minutes in the first half.
“We should have closed the middle a bit better but we reacted well. We had very good chances, unfortunately we couldn’t get the winner but overall bittersweet.
“Man City have been very successful with the titles they’ve won and every game against them has been very intense. They have quality all over the pitch and that’s why they have won the treble as well. I respect that but for us today, it was to win the game and do everything we can to do that.
“We had chances in the second half, but to come away with a point is not a bad situation so we have to focus on next and be positive. And we have to enjoy the ride.
“If you look back at where we were 12 months ago, the consistency that was missing, and look where we are right now. That’s something we can’t take for granted.”
While Liverpool have moved level on 64 points with leaders Arsenal, the Gunners’ superior goal difference keeps them top of the pile, and Man City remain just one adrift of their Merseyside counterparts.
Klopp’s side now turn their attention back to their Europa League last-16 tie with Sparta Prague, welcoming the Czech champions to Anfield on Thursday with a 5-1 advantage from last week’s first leg.
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