Liverpool traveled to the Etihad having not won a league match there since 2015. They got off to a good start, creating a few opportunities for Darwin Nunez.

The hosts, however, were the first to strike in the 27th minute. Alisson had possession of the ball and attempted to find Mohamed Salah in order to launch a counter-attack.

The Brazilian, however, miscued his attempt and it went nowhere near Salah. Nathan Ake was the first to the lost ball, and the defender embarked on a mad dash between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Then, on the edge of the 18-yard box, Ake found Haaland with a wonderful pass. The striker took his time before firing a low attempt that Alisson got a touch to but couldn’t keep out.

Carragher had “no problem” with Alisson’s early gaffe, but felt Liverpool needed to do more to prevent Ake later on, blaming Alexander-Arnold and Szoboszlai.

“Well, Liverpool had possession, and Alisson goes to try and put Mo Salah through,” he stated on Sky Sports at halftime. There’s no problem with that; we’ve seen him do it before, I believe a number of times against Manchester United.

“It was on, Salah was away, he just didn’t connect.” But, from the perspective of Liverpool, they must improve.

“Szoboszlai comes running over maybe too quickly and Trent’s got to be more aggressive, there’s got to be more intensity from there but a great finish.”

Micah Richards agreed that Liverpool should have handled the matter more effectively. He was more eager to compliment Ake and Haaland’s performances in the opener.

Richards responded: “I would agree with that, he’s got to put a lot more intent in it. I only want to look at the touch here.

“You notice the mistake from Alisson but this is a centre-half we’re talking about, left-back. Great touch, you think he’s going to go inside, goes one way, goes the other.

“I just want to emphasize about Haaland’s movement as well, we often talk about can you get in between the defenders. He just gets to get in-between there and it’s a great finale.”

Alexander-Arnold made up for his blunder, scoring the level for Liverpool in the 80th minute with a beautiful effort from just inside the 18-yard box. The Reds held on for a point to keep tabs with City at the top of the table.