The marquee clash of Gameweek 8 ended in a drab stalemate as a late Riyad Mahrez miss from the penalty spot helped Liverpool hold Manchester City to a goalless draw.
While the match was not short of action, what it did lack was meaningful chances with both Liverpool and Manchester City being tentative around the opposition box. The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock was when the Premier League champions were awarded a penalty for Virgil van Dijk’s lunging challenge on Leroy Sane.
Riyad Mahrez stepped up to take the spot kick, but the resulting shot was horrible as the ball sailed well over the bar. The miss helped Liverpool keep their ninth successive clean sheet in the Premier League at Anfield, a big reason for which was Dejan Lovren – a contentious moment in the first half notwithstanding – and the fans duly took note of his solid performance.
Dejan Lovren vs Man City
87% passing
2/3 aerial duels
5/7 tackles – most on the pitch
4 clearances
1 shotSolid. ?? pic.twitter.com/S1D13uduPH
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) October 7, 2018
It’s mad how there was a meltdown on here about Lovren starting and then he goes on to be our MOTM. It’s almost as if Klopp knows what he’s doing sometimes
— LFC Stanley House (@LFCStanleyHouse) October 7, 2018
Henderson and Lovren definitely up there for MOTM contenders. Both were excellent.
— LFC Fans Corner (@LFCFansCorner) October 7, 2018
I’ll take that. Tough run over, 2 week break.
Unbeaten after 8 games, joint top on 20 points.
I ain’t moaning.
Big up lovren tho.. immense.
— Legend Eski ( Matt ) (@LegendEskimoBoy) October 7, 2018
Dejan Lovren emptying his pockets after the game pic.twitter.com/nYROoMUUtw
— ²⁵ ?? (@vieiraview) October 7, 2018
Lovren was phenomenal today. Beast.
— CF (@FirminoBrand) October 7, 2018
Lovren impressive stepping into the side without much football under his belt this season, aside from that kick on Aguero in the 1st half. A couple of huge challenges in the 2nd half at key moments.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) October 7, 2018
One of the biggest chances for Liverpool on Sunday fell to Mohamed Salah, who missed wildly and continued his poor form. Unsurprisingly, fans were concerned by his ongoing slump, with the Egyptian also becoming a subject of trolls from rival supporters.
Mo Salah's body has been inhabited by the spirit of Marouane Chamakh
— Mash (@mash_233) October 7, 2018
I miss Salah.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) October 7, 2018
Bench Mo & get Shaq in
— Pekka Jokinen (@jpeksi) October 7, 2018
Salah’s a one season wonder and these man were comparing him to Ronaldo and Messi ?
— Naeem ?? (@NaeemR95) October 7, 2018
No sign of Lionel Salah this afternoon… must have been collecting chestnuts in the countryside with his family #Godbless
— Salt n Pep (@kys_cream) October 7, 2018
So another Salah disasterclass ? pic.twitter.com/BTDPjoJ5Ks
— Makaveli (@Ore_Yusuf) October 7, 2018
I miss this Salah,where is this Salah? ? pic.twitter.com/CasyPgYOOv
— Megatron (@TronusM) October 7, 2018
Disappointing to see Mahrez & Salah compete to be Adel Taraabt for Halloween today
— A West (@ayyy_west) October 7, 2018
What happened to Salah? Never going to maintain that standards but seems out of sorts to me.
— sat89 (@Abha_89) October 7, 2018
The mood though, remained upbeat among Liverpool fans despite their winless run extending to four games.
Great atmosphere at greatest of stadiums. Man City time wasting to hold on , if they had put that penalty in would have been a travesty! pic.twitter.com/5kQ7iFz568
— Kloppy McKloppface (@andypage251) October 7, 2018
Already played Chelsea spurs city and a Couple of tricky away fixtures like palace and Leicester away in our opening 8 games ..sitting joint top unbeaten ..I’ll have that all day mate #LFC #Wegoagain ??
— Grizz (@GrizzKhan) October 7, 2018
Still undefeated, Up the Reds. City (h) pic.twitter.com/jIIslTzQt2
— Yasir (@YasirVallii) October 7, 2018