Liverpool salvages a draw as title hopes take a hit
Luis Diaz spared Liverpool a rare Anfield defeat, but a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (AEST) represents a major blow to the Reds' title ambitions.
Son Heung-min left the famous old stadium shaken early in the second half when he tucked in from close range to give Antonio Conte's visitors a shock lead.
That was his 20th league goal of the season, and Liverpool knew anything other than a win would put City within sight of the Premier League trophy.
Liverpool has an unprecedented quadruple in its sights, and Diaz's deflected strike for an equaliser in the 74th minute just about kept the dream alive, but hopes might now be fading for the domestic title.
The Reds go top for now, level on points with a City side which has a game in hand, which it will play against Newcastle United on Monday (AEST).
Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane had early shots blocked, before Virgil van Dijk nodded wide after getting on the end of an out-swinging Andy Robertson corner from the left.
A misdirected defensive header from Ryan Sessegnon almost gave Salah a tap-in, but Hugo Lloris was alert to the danger.
Van Dijk headed against the top of the Tottenham crossbar from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner, before Luis Diaz drew a save from Lloris with a fizzing low strike. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg served a reminder of the visitors' threat when his skidding drive hit the outside of the left post.
Liverpool was full of purpose, swarming and probing early in the second half for the big chance that might bring a breakthrough.
However, it was stunned by Son in the 56th minute, when he slotted past Alisson after Kane's pass to Ryan Sessegnon on the left was followed by a sharp centre to the unmarked Korean.
Jurgen Klopp threw on Diogo Jota, looking for a spark, and Salah soon had a great chance as he cut inside on his left foot, only for Ben Davies to produce a glorious block.
Diaz hit the equaliser when his 22-yard strike took a massive deflection past Lloris, finding the bottom-left corner, and try as it did, Liverpool could not find a second.