Two Martins cost Liverpool two points

Liverpool were left disappointed yesterday after goals from Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez cancelled out strikes from Skrtel and Suarez, giving Manchester City an undeserved point from a match that the Reds dominated. Frustratingly, both of the visitors' goals could have been easily avoided, as silly defensive errors from the two Martins, Kelly and Skrtel, meant the Merseysiders forfeited two points.

Boss Brendan Rodgers encouragingly selected Liverpool's youngest starting eleven in the Premier League since December 2003, as Raheem Sterling was rewarded for his impressive display against Hearts in midweek with a starting berth alongside fellow youngsters Borini, Suarez, Allen, Lucas, Coates and Kelly, none of which are older than 25.

Unfortunately, only five minutes in the hosts were forced to make a substitution, as Lucas Leiva, who was sorely missed when injured last season, pulled up with a thigh injury and had to be replaced by Jonjo Shelvey. The Reds can only hope that he recovers quickly and, if not, new signing Nuri Sahin, who watched on from the stands yesterday, can fill his boots adequately. Nevertheless, Joe Allen withdrew to Lucas' holding role and performed excellently, with first half statistics revealing 100% pass accuracy from the promising Welsh midfielder, who completed 21 short passes and two long balls.

The match sprung to life with two goal scoring chances at either end in quick succession after 20 minutes. First, Liverpool went close when Borini connected with Sterling's superb in-swinging cross but somehow missed the target from close range. In response, former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez went uncomfortably close to breaking the deadlock for Mancini's men. The controversial Argentine beat Reina to the ball inside the six-yard box and then saw his shot bobble along the goal line and rebound off the far post, as lucky Liverpool breathed a sigh of relief.

At that point City were slightly edging the contest, and they further threatened as Nasri's free kick floated wide and Balotelli fired high and wide. However, Liverpool were by no means out of it and, after Kompany's block from Gerrard's shot almost inadvertently ended up in the back of the net, the skipper's subsequent corner was powerfully headed home by Skrtel to open the scoring in emphatic fashion.

Suarez then curled just wide after receiving a smart pass from Allen, before the teams entered the interval with Liverpool in the ascendancy.

Five minutes after the break Borini snatched possession and played Suarez through but unfortunately the number seven couldn't connect properly and the ball trickled wide as a good chance was wasted. Yaya Toure wasn't so profligate in front of goal when presented with a gilt-edged opportunity to equalise just after the hour mark. Sterling was predictably out muscled by Tevez, whose cross was fatally mis-controlled by Kelly at the back post, allowing Toure to pounce and turn home from close range.

Considering City's penchant for coming from behind to clinch crucial victories, the away side were arguably favourites to go on and claim all three points. Surprisingly, though, Liverpool responded to reclaim the lead only three minutes later. Luis Suarez curled a brilliant 25-yard free kick around the wall, past Hart's despairing dive and into the bottom corner of the net.

Liverpool conspired to bring about their own downfall, though, as an embarrassing error from Skrtel ten minutes from time gifted City a second leveller. The Slovakian centre half sold Reina short with a pass back that was never going to reach the Spaniard. Tevez foxed in, navigated Reina and netted.

Although Skrtel must accept personal responsibility for his mistake, the occasional defensive mishap is almost inevitable when a passing philosophy involving building from the back is prioritised. In the circumstances, Skrtel should have hoofed the ball long up the channel but hindsight is a beautiful thing and maintaining Rodgers' pass and move style of play is an imperative that shouldn't be abandoned due to Skrtel's howler.

There was still time for both teams to search for a winner. Shelvey's strike from the edge of the box flew inches over the bar, before Dzeko fired narrowly over for City. The match ended with Liverpool piling on the pressure and City hanging on for a point, but unfortunately the Reds couldn't make their pressure count and had to settle for a point.

Of course, the fact that Liverpool "settled" for a point demonstrates how well they played. Before the match, Brendan Rodgers would undoubtedly have accepted a draw. Such was the quality of the hosts' performance, though, it seems unfair that City managed to scrape a point.

Nonetheless, Liverpool can be satisfied with their collective performance, as well as with displays of individual brilliance from the likes of Suarez, Sterling, Gerrard and Allen. This display and result should fill them with confidence ahead of the upcoming visits of Arsenal and City's Manchester rivals United.

YNWA