Benayoun rescues Reds

Skrtel celebrates the opener

Man of the match: Stephen Ireland - imposed himself on the game in the second half.
Moment of the match: City's second goal from Ireland. Superb move and finish.
Attempt of the match: Skrtel's header early on was well saved by Given.
Save of the match: Shay Given's smart stop from Skrtel's header early on.
Talking point: More dropped points for Liverpool while City again denied having been in front.
Goal of the game: Ireland's goal to put City in front. Great passing move and finish.

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Liverpool dropped two more points and fell further behind in the title race after being held to a 2-2 draw by Manchester City at Anfield.

After a dour first half the game burst into life five minutes into the second half when Martin Skrtel broke the deadlock with his first goal for the club.

Emmanuel Adebayor headed Manchester City level on 69 minutes when he was left unmarked inside the box to head home Craig Bellamy's corner.

City turned the game on its head on 76 minutes when Stephen Ireland converted Shaun-Wright Phillips' cross to silence the home fans.

However, Liverpool struck back a minute later when Yossi Benayoun scored from close-range after David Ngog's shot was deflected across the face of goal.

The draw means Liverpool have only won one of their last ten games in all competitions, while for City it was their sixth successive stalemate in the Premier League.

Liverpool had Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Jamie Carragher, the latter after a ban, returning from the side that drew with Birmingham last time out.

Manchester City made one change from the side that were held at home by Burnley last time out, Nigel De Jong coming into the side in place of Carlos Tevez, who was a substitute.

Liverpool started well, Gerrard attacking the right flank of City's defence when the opportunity arose.

The first chance came after five minutes from a free-kick following a Gareth Barry foul on Dirk Kuyt.

Gerrard swung the set-piece in from the right, Daniel Agger flicked on and centre-back partner Skrtel saw a free header from the left brilliantly saved by Shay Given.

Concussion

Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos was soon on as substitute, a reshuffle Liverpool did not need against the pace of Emmanuel Adebayor, with Craig Bellamy itching to run at Carragher on the left.

Soon Liverpool suffered more injury trouble. Babel was hurt in a collision with De Jong, and needed treatment on the line.

Babel lasted only a couple of minutes more after his limping return and was replaced by Benayoun.

City were intent on containment and eventual control. De Jong effectively regained midfield possession to set in motion City's calm, thoughtful approach play.

Toure, suffering following an earlier tackle with Gerrard, was replaced at the break by Nedum Onuoha.

And Liverpool produced the lift the game needed with a goal after 49 minutes. Pablo Zabaleta had given away a needless free-kick for holding Ngog on the left, and when Gerrard swung the set-play into the box, Skrtel was there first in front of Adebayor to stab home from six yards.

Pressure

And they waited until the hour mark to withdraw Barry and send on Tevez, who instantly drew a booking for Lucas following a tangle on the half-way line.

City cranked up the pressure as Liverpool fell deeper, and they were level after 69 minutes. Bellamy's corner swirled into the box and it was Adebayor's turn to lose Skrtel this time, heading the ball down into the turf from where it bounced high into the top corner.

City struck again after 76 minutes when Tevez and Wright-Phillips worked well to create a chance for Stephen Ireland to flick the ball past Reina.

Liverpool's response came within 60 seconds. Ngog crossed from the right, the ball deflecting to Benayoun who forced it home from a couple of yards out.