Liverpool threw away a narrow lead as they were beaten by Manchester City in a dramatic twist to this season's Premier League title race. The deadlock was nearly broken after just a few minutes when Erling Haaland found himself through on goal, but Alisson Becker and Milos Kerkez combined to clear the ball away from danger. City were on top for much of the first half but weren't able to break the deadlock before the interval despite having Liverpool on the back foot.

The hosts were much more threatening in the second half with Hugo Ekitike going close on a couple of occasions. He missed a couple of big chances, including a free header from close range, as Liverpool ramped up their search for an opening goal. It eventually arrived with 16 minutes remaining as Dominik Szoboszlai slammed home a brilliant free-kick, but their lead didn't last long as Bernardo Silva bundled home from close range to level up.

In the first of seven added minutes at the end of the second half, City were awarded a penalty when Omar Marmoush was taken out by Alisson in a moment of madness. Haaland stepped up and buried his effort into the bottom corner, breaking Liverpool hearts and keeping the visitors within six points of Premier League leaders Arsenal.

It looked like City had scored a third in the dying seconds when Rayan Cherki rolled the ball into an empty net from the halfway line, with Alisson having ventured up the pitch as Liverpool threw the kitchen sink. However, the strike was ruled out following a VAR intervention for a foul by Szoboszlai, who was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Express Sport rates and slates the Liverpool players from today's dramatic defeat...

Liverpool player ratings vs Man City

Alisson Becker - 3

Couldn't have done much about the late equaliser but clattered into Marmoush for the penalty, which ended up costing his team.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 6

Struggled as the emergency right-back at times but scored an incredible free-kick that deserved to be the winner. Was later sent off in a crazy end to the game.

Ibrahima Konate - 7

Read the game well to snuff out attacks and mostly succeeded in keeping City's forwards at bay until the very end.

Virgil van Dijk - 5

Outmuscled by Haaland and wasn't at his best in the air. On the ball, went long more than usual to try and exploit open spaces.

Milos Kerkez - 7

Made a crucial clearance in the early exchanges and defended well on the left side of the pitch. Also contributed in attack.

Ryan Gravenberch - 4

Struggled to protect the back four as much as he would have liked and didn't see the ball often enough. A tame display.

Alexis Mac Allister - 5

Created an opening for Salah with a pinpoint pass but wasn't able to get into the thick of the action in midfield.

Florian Wirtz - 6

Took a while to get himself involved in the game with City firmly on top. Played some brilliant through balls when given the chance.

Mohamed Salah - 4

Had a couple of chances but was pretty toothless in attack. Lacked the killer end product he showed so often last season.

Cody Gakpo - 5

Showed glimpses of quality but wasn't able to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Too reluctant to use his left foot at times.

Hugo Ekitike - 6

Looked lively from the first whistle and made some clever runs, but missed a free header when he really should have hit the target.

Substitutes

Curtis Jones - 6

Brought a burst of energy in midfield when he was introduced after City's late equaliser.