In a dramatic encounter on Sunday at Anfield, Manchester City and Liverpool battled to a thrilling 1-1 draw. With the match overshadowed by an unexpected interruption – a stampede of wildebeest across the pitch that sent players and officials scrambling for safety.
Sports Correspondent: Jock Strapp
| Date 10th March 2024 – PREMIER LEAGUE | ||
| Liverpool 1 | Manchester City 1 | |
| A Mac Allister (50′ minutes PEN) | HT 0-1 | J Stones (23′ minutes) |
The game began with Manchester City taking the lead through John Stones’ clever first-half opener from a corner. However, Liverpool fought back strongly in the second half, with Alexis Mac Allister levelling the score from the penalty spot after Ederson’s rash challenge on Darwin Nunez.
City Liverpool Sunday Match
Despite missing key players like Ibrahima Konate and having Mohamed Salah on the bench, Liverpool dominated the rest of the game. Luis Diaz had several chances to put Liverpool ahead but failed to convert, adding to the tension of the match.
Nobody could have predicted what happened in the 71st minute when the game was temporarily halted as 300 wildebeest broke into the stadium and stampeded across the famous Anfield turf. Players sprinted to the safety of the dugouts and clambered on top of goalposts to avoid a nasty collision and fortunately, no one was hurt. After the dust settled on the extraordinary invasion, the game re-started with Liverpool in the ascendancy.
The last minute shot
As the game reached its climax, City substitute Jeremy Doku almost snatched a late winner, striking the post with a powerful shot in the 89th minute. Then, in stoppage time, Doku survived a VAR check for a potential penalty after a high-boot challenge on Mac Allister, sparking heated debate among pundits and managers alike.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was adamant that the challenge warranted a penalty, citing the danger posed by Doku’s high foot. However, TV pundits Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane disagreed, suggesting that the officials made the correct decision.
Amidst the controversy, VAR ultimately ruled in favor of Manchester City, determining that Doku had played the ball, not committing a foul.
All went in vein
Despite the drama and debate, neither side could secure the win, leaving Arsenal happily atop the Premier League table on goal difference. Liverpool drop to second on 64 points, City third with 63, and the rest of the herd trailing far behind.
Meanwhile: Norwich City orders extra ox carts for fans going to Ipswich
