Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis, Premier League 2018/19

Liverpool and Manchester City played out a stalemate against many odds at Anfield. Both sides struggled to gain a major foothold on the game but a Riyad Mahrez penalty miss in the 86th minute ensured a goalless draw.

The match only opened up to a notable extent after the hour mark, but neither side took their chances. Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are now all on 20 points heading into the international break. Without further ado, let's look at the major talking points from the game.

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#1 Surprising Lineups named by both managers

Stones had started just once in five league games prior to this fixture

Both teams' starting line-ups raised a few eyebrows. Starting off with Manchester City, Guardiola chose to play with Aymeric Laporte and John Stones at the heart of the defence. Both of them hadn't played a great deal together prior to this game, as this pair was not the usually preferred one by the former Barcelona boss.

Stones, who started the first two league games of the season, played just 106 minutes in the next five matches. The inclusion of Benjamin Mendy at left back wasn't predicted by many either. Next, Bernardo Silva was deployed as a deeper playmaker, while Riyad Mahrez was preferred to the in-form Leroy Sane. Due to that change, Raheem Sterling was shifted to the left side of the front three.

For the hosts, Joe Gomez switched to his original right back role and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who complained of a minor strain in midweek at Naples, made it to the bench. Captain Jordan Henderson was tasked with a watchdog's role as Klopp favoured his industry over Naby Keita's energy in midfield.

#2 Liverpool express their energy but City settle after the first 20 minutes

Salah had the best chance of the first half

Owing to the full-fledged backing and support of their buzzing fans, the Reds started the match with red-hot intensity. Right from the word go, the likes of Mane and Salah saw themselves in possession in advanced areas of either flank. The latter won a well-directed pass from Gomez but failed to find the target. Unfortunately for the neutrals, the remained the only clear-cut chance of the first half.

The long balls, high press up front and sharp tackling by the Liverpool midfielders caused a sense of panic amongst the Manchester City backline. After having established control of early proceedings, a few misplaced passes and poor free-kicks gave a bit of a breather to the visitors.

Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva positioned themselves better and Guardiola's men were unfazed with the back passes as they tried to calm the explosive Anfield crowd down. With a never-say-die attitude, the Cityzens saw off early pressure and found some rhythm. However, they couldn't do much to disturb the opposition defence.

#3 The game finally opens up after the hour mark

Yes, that's how close it was

After an absolute bore fest in the first half against many predictions and expectations, the match finally opened up to some extent after the hour mark. In the first period, both sides lacked a finishing touch to their build-up play. Neither were able to produce a telling final ball. As a result, there was no shot on target

In the second half, Riyad Mahrez turned away from Robertson, used his body to trick him and mustered a fine effort, only to see it go inches away from the far post. The same man again threatened but shot straight at Alisson. In the 75th minute, the Algerian tested the Brazilian shot-stopper once more on his near post.

City struggled to keep up to the pace of Liverpool at times and hence, gave away cynical fouls that triggered the Anfield crowd. Robertson played an exquisite long ball down the path of Salah, who controlled it beautifully but lacked composure in front of goal.

Sturridge met a cross from Gomez as well, but the header was too softly met.

#4 Manchester City fail to implement the disguised 4-4-1-1 formation, Mahrez misses penalty

David Silva looked a shadow of himself

Although Guardiola plotted a 4-3-3 structure, his mastermind illustrated a 4-4-1-1 system on the pitch, with David Silva playing off Sergio Aguero. Usually, the trio in midfield stick close, exploit wide areas with the wingers and make box-to-box runs in turns. This time around though, Pep relied on the magic of Silva to open up an energetic Liverpool midfield.

Neither did Silva influence the game, nor did City look like champions except for a few moments here and there. There was an unnecessary sense of urgency and carelessness about his passing as he failed to find his man on a handful of occasions.

Also, the deep role of Bernardo Silva sucked his creativity out - the creativity he provides in the final third. City could have won the game with the penalty, but as things worked out, this game plan didn't quite work for Guardiola and co.

Towards the end of the game, when it looked like both teams would share the spoils, Sane earned a penalty for the champions. Mahrez stepped up to take it, but fired it way above the frame of the goal. Had he scored, the 27-year-old would have totally announced himself as a 'Manchester City' player.

#5 Where does the title race go now?

The title race is as tight as this 50-50 battle

Well, we all need the international break now, don't we?

Heading into the international break, champions Manchester City, challengers Liverpool and the resurgent Chelsea are all on 20 points. Prior to this game, the Blues emerged victorious at Southampton, leaving it for the pacesetters to decide their fate.

While Manchester City look unstoppable nine out of ten times, Liverpool don't look like losing and Chelsea continue to pile pressure on these two, not many can write off any of these sides. Too early to talk about the title, but this game certainly portrayed both sides' weaknesses. This draw certainly leaves a different taste in both Guardiola's and Klopp's mouths

Where does the title race go on from now? Only time will tell. However, all three sides have started out as formidable opponents with visible flaws.