Liverpool stuttered to a draw when they hosted Man City at Anfield, which sees the reds with even less room for error in this seasons title challenge.
With Gerrard and Alonso unable to play, Liverpool were left short of inspiration and craft in the midfield. And even though the reds started off well with possession, the lack of lethal creativity was all too evident. And this left the fans, manager and players alike all frustrated by the final whistle.
It was former red Craig Bellamy shortly after the break who was to open the scoring for his present club, from a deflection in off Arbeloa. But with Liverpool once again given the task of catch up this season, they began to play as though it was essential to win. Dirk Kuyt was on hand to level it for the reds with a cross from Yossi Benayoun.
Liverpool continued to look for the winner and the game opened up. But with Shay Given denying Yossi Benayoun with a great instinctive save and Fernando Torres trying his best to set up and get on the end of moves, Liverpool were set to drop two very important points at home again.
If Liverpool have any chance of sustaining a title challenge to the end after this game, it’s vital that key players stay fit and available to play.
Rafa Benitez:
“It was a bad result because we could have done better with the chances we had in the first half.
“We controlled the game but you have to score first. We conceded a deflected goal and that changed the game because they have pace and ability – things were more open so they were dangerous on the counter attack.
“After we scored the goal we had chances and could have won the game.”
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena (Aurelio 76), Benayoun, Mascherano (Babel 83), Lucas, Riera (El Zhar 63), Torres, Kuyt.
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Ngog, Spearing.
Booked: El Zhar.
Goals: Kuyt 78.
Man City: Given, Richards, Dunne, Onuoha, Bridge, Zabaleta, De Jong, Kompany, Ireland, Bellamy, Robinho (Caicedo 88).
Subs Not Used: Hart, Garrido, Vassell, Evans, Elano, Weiss.
Booked: Dunne, Kompany.
Goals: Arbeloa 51 og.
Att: 44,259
Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).