Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City: Liverpool Stutter Again

Is that it for Liverpool?

Maybe.

Liverpool draw for a third time in a row after a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City, leaving them 10 points behind Chelsea, who play Wolves later this afternoon.

The first half was more stop start then Youtube at 9pm. There were few clear cut chances for both teams, with Liverpool being kept mostly at bay by Man City's troubled defence.

Martin Skrtel was denied early in by a fantastic hand from Shay Given (more of a slap, but nonetheless) after a brilliant Steven Gerrard free kick. Later on, Gareth Barry was denied extremely well by Pepe Reina.

But the main thing that happened in the first half was that Liverpool suffered yet more injuries.

Unlucky?

From injuries, definately.

Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger were the latest victims to go to the treatment room.

Agger came off for Sotirios Kyrgiakos with concussion and needing stitches in his head, while the unfortunate Babel, who just hasn't got his Liverpool career going, was playing well but had to go off with a bad ankle from a tackle from Nigel De Jong. He was replaced by Yossi Benayoun, who was greeted by a thunderous roar from the Liverpool fans.

Jamie Carragher was booked for a knee tackle on old Liverpool player Craig Bellamy, Shaun Wright Phillips was anonymous, but apart from that, nothing else happened in the first half.

Total rubbish.

The second half was much better thank you.

Immediately, Martin Skrtel was second time lucky against Shay Given after a beautiful free kick from Gerrard. Skrtel got a tap on it and it went in.

That livened the whole stadium up.

But if anything, it made City more energetic and confident than the scorers, and they dominated with 66% possession up to their goal, which was a gift.

Martin Skrtel, the man who scored, was at fault for the City goal. He didn't mark Adebayor at the corner and with a free header, Adebayor beat Reina easily (Reina has little chance) and scored.

That livened the place down.

And then it got worse.

City kept on pressing and dominating and were rewarded while Liverpool were punished further for sitting on their lead (and for not bringing on Alberto Aquilani after the equalizer).

Shaun Wright Phillips turned Kyrgiakos in the Liverpool box and passed it to Stephen Ireland (who looked offside), and he slotted it into the far corner.

Liverpool had a hill to climb, and climbed half of it in the next 30 seconds. David N'Gog's cross took a deflection and it went passed a scrambling Shay Given for Yossi Benayoun to tap home.

But Liverpool never climbed the rest of the hill and despite bringing on Fabio Aurelio for Benayoun, it came to no effect.

Liverpool had 4 extra time minutes as well as 15 mins normal time but despite a few chances (and a blatant Lucas miss), Liverpool had to settle for a draw.

It leaves them with one win in nine, while City have set a new record of six straight draws.

Liverpool's title hopes are hanging by a thread.

They are so up against it now.

Good luck Liverpool.

They desperately need it.