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Liverpool got their first point of the season as the Reds played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against defending champions Manchester City at Anfield. Liverpool took the lead twice only for City to level each time, the second courtesy of a horror mistake by Martin Skrtel. After dominating the opening exchanges of the game, City found themselves a goal down when Skrtel thumped in a Steven Gerrard corner. Liverpool grew in stature in the second period but their defensive frailties were exposed when Pepe Reina missed a cross and Yay Toure stroked in the equalizer.

Then came Luis Suarez's gem of a free-kick which put Liverpool back in the lead but Skrtel's back pass to Reina fell straight into Carlos Tevez's lap and he made no mistake. Mancini's men, who played with three defenders and five across the middle, have dropped their first points this season while Brendan Rodgers earns his first. On the whole, one suspects both teams would be happy with the result. (Full Match Report)

Liverpool

Pepe Reina 5/10

Helpless for the second goal Liverpool conceded, he was at fault for the first when he missed the incoming cross. He showed good feet in covering up through balls.

Martin Kelly 5/10

Solid enough at right-back, he kept Nasri and co quiet after the opening onslaught. He was replaced by Enrique in the last quarter.

Glen Johnson 6/10

Good show from Johnson, defended okay and provided great impetus going forward, linking well with the midfielders and forwards. Began on the left and moved to the right in the latter stages.

Sebastian Coates 4/10

Struggled in the opening period and lost possession in a dangerous area in the first half, steadier in the second period.

Martin Skrtel 4/10

Scored with a thumping header to give the Reds the lead but turned into a sour afternoon as he gifted City the equalizer at a time when they were going nowhere. Horror mistake.

Lucas 3/10

Taken off early in the game with an injury; a huge disappointment for the midfielder.

Joe Allen 6/10

Good show from the new recruit as he distributed the ball well and looked calm. Challenged his physically superior opponents and took the game to them.

Steven Gerrard 5/10

Provided the corner for the opener and a trademark whipped cross nearly brought another, he put in a good 90 minute shift and should improve a few games into the season. Drove forward couple of times yet kept his defensive duties well.

Fabio Borini 4/10

The forward kept to the right flank during the first period; showed a couple of good touches. Not in the game in the second half and came off for Carroll at the end. Needs some more time getting used to the English game one suspects.

Luis Suarez 7/10

Twisting and turning at will, the Uruguayan was at his best. He gave the City back line all kinds of problems. Scored a brilliant free kick and really deserved three points.

Raheem Sterling 6/10

The young prospect showed confidence in taking on Kolo Toure on several occasions, tracked back when required too. Assured performance overall, an encouraging sign for the Anfield faithful.

Subs:

Jonjo Shelvey 5/10

On for Lucas, put in a decent shift in the middle of the park. He was mainly concerned with protecting the centre-backs and had a scorching left foot shot just miss the target.

Jose Enrique 3/10

Came on with little time left, did the necessary defending he was asked to.

Andy Carroll 3/10

Had one half chance with a header but chose to lay up and did not get power behind it, little else for the big man.

Subs: Jones, Henderson, Carragher, Downing

Manchester City

Joe Hart 5/10

The keeper had a busy afternoon and had much to do with Liverpool attacking for large periods. The goals were unstoppable. Blocked and saved well enough otherwise.

Kolo Toure 3/10

A torrid afternoon, suffered at the hands of Sterling and Suarez. He was targeted by Liverpool and the ex-Arsenal man looked quite rusty.

Vincent Kompany 4/10

Not his best game, Suarez was in top form and gave him a hard time. Could do nothing about the first goal as Kolarav lost out to Skrtel and he was too late to intervene.

Pablo Zabaleta 4/10

Dragged out of position by Suraez, endured a tough afternoon. He would prefer a shift back to his full-back duties one presumes.

James Milner 4/10

Never really in the game but for the opening fifteen minutes, stuck to the right flank and offered little service.

Alexander Kolarov 5/10

A left midfielder today, he had a decent game and drove forward well. Kept Borini quiet as well.

Nigel De Jong 4/10

Didn’t have much influence on the game, restricted to containment throughout but never got on top of the opponents.

Yaya Toure 5/10

The best of the lot for City today but below his high standards. Grabbed an opportunistic first and searched for a late winner. Somewhat awry with his passing.

Samir Nasri 4/10

Off at the hour mark for Rodwell, Nasri began in strong fashion creating and passing well but lost his way as Liverpool dominated for a long period.

Mario Balotelli 4/10

Frustration for the Italian as his attempts never came off. Could not link well with Tevez and ultimately came off for Dzeko

Carlos Tevez 7/10

City’s prime threat, the little Argentine troubled the Red’s defence with his power and skill. Provided the cross for the equalizer and a class show on the whole from Tevez.

David Silva 5/10

Looked menacing in the few minutes he was on, passing and movement great as always.

Jack Rodwell 4/10

Important clearance on the line at the end, had to contend with a frenzied finish to the game and dealt well.

Edin Dzeko 4/10

Made a couple of good passes and got into the box for the final ball which just eluded him. Decent impact from the tall striker.

Subs : Pantilimon, Lescott, Savic, Razak

(Full Match Report)