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Manchester City threw shade at Liverpool ahead of Saturday afternoon's 1-1 draw with a 'subtle' display at the Etihad Stadium.
The two Premier League heavyweights cancelled one another out over the weekend as Arsenal leapfrogged both in the table.
City took the lead just before the half-hour mark through Erling Haaland's 50th Premier League goal. The Norway international reached that landmark faster than any other player, firing past Alisson with conviction.
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Pep Guardiola's side had chances to kill the game but failed to do so.
Liverpool stayed in the contest and were rewarded 10 minutes from time as Trent Alexander-Arnold scored from range to level things up.
Rather than go for the win, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp shut up shop with defensive changes to ensure the points were shared.
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Before kick-off, City executives were doing anything to get the mental edge over their rivals.
Per the Daily Mail, Liverpool executives who arrived for the game in the chairman's suite were greeted by the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies City captured in their treble-winning campaign earlier this year.
Not done there, they also displayed the UEFA Super Cup, which City won in August.
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It's similar to a tactic Liverpool use at Anfield, with visiting executives seated near the club's six European Cups.
Guardiola praised City's performance against Liverpool despite failing to come away with the win.
He said post-match: "We are hungry and upset in the locker room, but it was an incredibly great game.
Statistics or who deserved it more, doesn’t count. I am going to drink my wine with one point.
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"I am incredibly pleased about the performance we played because Liverpool are an incredible team.
"We conceded just two chances against that team. The header in the first half and goal.
"After eight years, it was really good to perform in that way. I am so proud of my team.
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"We travel with the ball all together. We played good. I know after eight years. I spoke with Jurgen, he knows I admire him."
City drew 4-4 with Chelsea before the international break in a crazy contest. Guardiola was delighted with their shape against Liverpool and didn't feel they had to rely on goalkeeper Ederson to bail them out.
The 52-year-old added: "Last game against Chelsea, we defended poorly and then had to rely on our keeper.
"The way Liverpool play, we can’t (do that). We don’t have players to play that way."
Topics: Manchester City, Liverpool, Premier League
Daniel Marland