Man City vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League score and goal updates as Erling Haaland puts hosts ahead

A compelling half, as was to be expected, with Manchester City ahead after Nathan Ake and Erling Haaland capitalised on an Alisson error. It is Liverpool’s inaccuracy in their own defensive third that has been the visitors’ issue so far, a number of chances presented to their opponents and this one rather nicely taken:

Into one minute of added time. Liverpool play into the area somewhat aimlessly but Ederson is in no mood to take any chances, a desperate claw at a ball apparently destined for no-one in particular almost ending up at Liverpool feet. Kyle Walker is swift enough of thought and of foot to prevent a Manchester City disaster.

Smart save! Ederson unfurls another beaut of a pass, spatchcocking Liverpool’s attempted press. Phil Foden is found on the edge of the area and a low shot is tipped past the post by a diving Ederson.

Neither one nor t’other! A rapid break from Manchester City, sparked by a gorgeous pirouette from Bernardo Silva in his own ‘D’ on the edge of the area, and Jeremey Doku can pick between Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to either side of an undermanned defence. The latter is the recipient, but neither shoots nor squares for the Norwegian on the left, instead chipping rather tamely out of play.

Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are testing the limits of their technical areas, abutting one another either side of halfway. The Manchester City manager urges his side to press higher, but that leaves space at the back when possession is turned over.

Mohamed Salah tries to find it but Darwin Nunez strays beyond the home defence too soon – he’s offside as Salah releases the pass, as the eventual erection of the assistant’s flag confirms.

Ederson threads the eye of a needle with a pass between four Liverpool players which is delightfully flicked on by the heel of Bernardo Silva. Rodri settles things down when Manchester City are forced backwards, the controlling Spaniard keeping things ticking in the heart of midfield.

Side netting! Inaccurate from Manuel Akanji, rushing a transfer out to the right and failing to spot Dominik Szoboszlai lurking in position to intercept. The Hungarian has a lovely range of pass when driving at a defence and neatly finds Darwin Nunez, but the striker is dragged wider than he’d like and can’t contort a finish around Ederson.

“Handball!” cry the home crowd as Darwin Nunez controls a magnificent Trent Alexander-Arnold pass with his chest, with Chris Kavanagh rightly waving play on. The striker has two up with him and finds Mohamed Salah, but Nathan Ake stands up strongly to the Egyptian.

Liverpool’s corner, which Ederson comes to punch, the goalkeeper getting just enough on the ball. Liverpool reload and attack again but a canny nudge in the back of Mohamed Salah allows Manchester City to clear more certainly.

In truth, Liverpool had looked relatively comfortable in their defensive structure before that goal, those errors aside. But now Manchester City have grown in zip, Jeremy Doku’s shimmying hips and frantic feet causing Trent Alexander-Arnold all sorts of issues. A deflected effort hops out of play for a corner.