Slow-Mo Footage Suggests Joel Matip Could Have Saved Liverpool's Title Hopes With Incredible Stop

Micah Richards said if he could have picked one player to be in that position, it would have been Riyad Mahrez.

In the dying embers of Sunday's 'title-decider' between Manchester City and Liverpool, the often reliable Algerian forward had the chance to clinch all three points when he was expertly played through by the brilliant Kevin De Bruyne.

"You know he's going to come inside onto his left foot but he tries to be too clever," former City full-back Richards told Sky Sports after the final whistle. "He goes for the cheeky dink but you expect him to whip it like he does and put it away."

Mahrez went for the "cheeky" dink and to the surprise of many, the former Leicester City man skied his effort over. "It's a great chance," De Bruyne said in his post-match interview. "Riyad chose to chip the keeper, if it goes in it's a wonder goal."

At first glance, it looked like Manchester City's number 26 missed the opportunity after overhitting the chip but a slow-motion replay has emerged that shows Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip getting a slight touch on the shot.

Would it have gone over the bar without that deflection?

Pep Guardiola's side remain one point clear in the Premier League title race after a pulsating 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday.

Man of the moment Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Diogo Jota scored his 21st goal of the season to level the scores after just 13 minutes.

The game was played at a frightening speed for large parts and ten minutes before the half-time break, Gabriel Jesus repaid Guardiola's faith in starting him for the first time since January with a goal to make it 2-1.

Liverpool looked unusually error-prone in spells during the first period but they came out a completely different side in the second half.

It took Sadio Mane just 47 seconds to fire past Ederson to make it 2-2 - and that is how the scoreline remained after several big chances for both sides.

Thoughts on Mahrez's miss in the final moments?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Manchester City, Liverpool, Premier League, Joel Matip

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_