Man City draw 'instils belief' for Liverpool

DARREN STAPLES/ AFP

Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold wants his side to grab all three points when they take on their opponents, but given Manchester City's form at home, he said Saturday's 1-1 draw is a step in the right direction.

The 25-year-old right-back, a product of Liverpool's academy, ended City's run of 23 wins at the Etihad Stadium in all competitions, including a 4-1 hammering of the Merseyside outfit in April, when he drilled in an 80th-minute equaliser with his right foot.

After finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, Liverpool are just two points adrift of the top spot in this campaign.

Asked whether something was building at Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports: "For sure. There's been many times we've played a lot better against City and lost the game. So, to come here and get the point is a good result for us.

"It was something that we needed as a team and, I think it just instils that belief that even when we don't play well against the champions...

"You can still get a point against them then at least you're doing something right and we've dug in deep today and got that point."

Liverpool next welcome Austrian club LASK at Anfield in the Europa League on Thursday before taking on 15th-placed Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Arsenal currently top the Premier League following their 1-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday.

Kai Havertz came on as a substitute and broke the deadlocked match with a close-range header in the 89th minute.

"It feels amazing. I have been working hard for this moment and today it paid off, so I am happy to help the team with that," the 24-year-old German international told TNT Sport.

He had been feeling under pressure following his 65 million-pound switch from Arsenal rivals Chelsea.

Havertz, who scored the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final against City during his first season at Chelsea, said he was thankful to Arsenal fans for sticking by him.

The Gunners host French side Lens in the Champions League on Wednesday before facing 12th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday. 

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