A era of Manchester Metropolis supporters had not skilled a successful feeling at Anfield – however all that modified on a extremely dramatic Sunday night.
Trailing 1-0 to Liverpool within the 84th minute, it was turning right into a theme acquainted for the Residents devoted till captain Bernardo Silva and the ice-cool Erling Haaland each netted within the dying phases handy Pep Guardiola’s facet a memorable victory.
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Metropolis supporters have been riotous when Rayan Cherki rolled in a 3rd into an empty web from simply inside his personal half, however .
It mattered little as they stayed nicely after the ultimate whistle to rejoice their facet’s triumph – solely a 3rd within the league since 1981.
It was additionally end result that retains Metropolis within the title race. Simply.
Boss Pep Guardiola joked afterwards about their final victory at Anfield 5 years in the past, which got here behind closed doorways throughout Covid restrictions, saying: “That does not depend, proper?”
However this sensible turnaround meant Metropolis are solely six factors adrift of leaders Arsenal with 13 video games left to play – together with a Gunners go to to Etihad Stadium in April – having been observing a nine-point deficit within the closing phases.
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“It’s so tough, Anfield is Anfield – the custom, the historical past and the gang,” added Guardiola. “It at all times appears smaller, tighter right here and the pitch would not appear like Etihad Stadium – and the gamers that they’ve, and the whole lot.
“In fact we might be disenchanted and all of the questions can be time and again [about the title race] however six factors is healthier than 9. It’s nonetheless so much contemplating how sturdy Arsenal are in all departments.
“The final 10 video games, from my expertise, it’s so tough. The necessary factor is to attempt to be there and enhance as a result of the second half was not adequate once more.
“All we will do is breathe down the neck of Arsenal and being there, strive in the event that they go slip [up] and use it.”
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‘Will this give them the bit between the tooth?’
The Metropolis substitutes piling over to their followers after Cherki’s objective confirmed how a lot the victory meant to them – one supporter even obtained carried away and jumped on to the pitch earlier than being led away by stewards.
It was an unbelievable conclusion to an engrossing encounter, one which has repeatedly delivered drama in Guardiola’s previous tussles with Jurgen Klopp and now Arne Slot.
These two sides have been the one groups to raise the Premier League trophy over the previous eight years and, whereas reigning champions Liverpool have fallen away this time period and sit in sixth place, Metropolis are clinging on.
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“What can this do to Manchester Metropolis confidence-wise, going ahead?” stated former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson on BBC Radio 5 Dwell. “It is all about placing runs collectively at this stage and that may be a huge end result that may give them an enormous confidence enhance.
“They could nicely simply – and I imply simply – be on this.”
After their 3-0 win at Etihad Stadium earlier within the season, Metropolis achieved a league double over Liverpool for the primary time for the reason that 1936-37 marketing campaign.
“It is an necessary one for Metropolis immediately,” former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney informed BBC Sport. “It is a powerful place to go, Anfield.
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“I believed Liverpool have been actually good within the second half, Metropolis have been actually good first half – then Metropolis have gone a objective down and dug in to get the three factors.”
Former United defender Gary Neville added: “Will this give them the bit between the tooth? Will this give them the boldness to go and chase down Arsenal?
“Perhaps, simply possibly.”
‘One of many legends of this membership’
Metropolis captain Silva began the sport after recovering from a latest hamstring concern and was the catalyst for his facet’s comeback by prodding within the equaliser from a Haaland knockdown.
The Portuguese has now performed extra recreation in opposition to Liverpool (16) than every other Metropolis participant, whereas his three targets at Anfield makes him Metropolis’s joint-top scorer on the stadium alongside Nicolas Anelka and Ilkay Gundogan.
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Haaland, in contrast, scored a primary objective at Anfield together with his successful penalty within the third minute of added time.
“I really feel the entire staff knew earlier than the sport if we misplaced it then the title race was most likely over,” stated Silva. “We felt like we wanted to win.
“The hope is there and we’re going to struggle till the top. We have to maintain doing our job that we’ve not these days.”
On Sunday, no participant ran greater than Silva’s 12.84km, whereas no Metropolis participant made extra passes within the closing third than his 24, nor did they try extra dribbles than his 4.
Earlier this season, Guardiola stated he has a “weak point” for the 31-year-old and a participant he “loves” very a lot.
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Silva is out of contract in the summertime and the Metropolis boss added: “He is among the greatest gamers I’ve each skilled with.
“He’s the right captain. It’s a pleasure for me as a supervisor to have him. The staff comes first.
“His contribution is huge and he is among the legends of this membership.”