Liverpool failed to start a big week as they had wanted after being held to a 2-2 draw by Manchester City in the Premier League at Anfield. Martin Skrtel headed Liverpool in front just before half-time but Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland hit back to put City in the driving seat and leave the Reds' season hanging by a thread. However, Yossi Benayoun scored an equaliser just 74 seconds after Ireland's strike to prevent the men from Eastlands extending the gap between the two sides. Despite the furore over Liverpool's use of a Belgrade clinic to get players fit for a key week of vital matches in Europe and the Premier League, all four of the men sent to Serbia for treatment failed to make the starting line-up. Glen Johnson was not even in the squad, and Benayoun, Albert Riera and Fabio Aurelio were onlt fit enough for the bench. Liverpool did, however, have Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Jamie Carragher, the latter after a ban, returning from the side that drew with Birmingham last time out. Manchester City made one change from the side that were held at home by Burnley last time out, Nigel De Jong coming into the side in place of Carlos Tevez, who was a substitute. Liverpool started well, Gerrard attacking the right flank of City's defence when the opportunity arose. The first chance came after five minutes from a free-kick following a Gareth Barry foul on Dirk Kuyt. Gerrard swung the set-piece in from the right, Daniel Agger flicked on and centre-back partner Skrtel saw a free header from the left brilliantly saved by Shay Givens. Agger, though, was injured in the incident after clashing heads with Kolo Toure. The young Dane's legs buckled under him as he was receiving treatment and he was carried off suffering from concussion. Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos was soon on as substitute, a reshuffle Liverpool did not need against the pace of Emmanuel Adebayor, with Craig Bellamy itching to run at Carragher on the left. Soon Liverpool suffered more injury trouble. Babel was hurt in a collision with De Jong, and needed treatment on the line. Babel lasted only a couple of minutes more after his limping return and was replaced by Benayoun. City were intent on containment and eventual control. De Jong effectively regained midfield possession to set in motion City's calm, thoughtful approach play. Toure, suffering following an earlier tackle with Gerrard, was replaced at the break by Nedum Onuoha. And Liverpool produced the lift the game needed with a goal after 49 minutes. Pablo Zabaleta had given away a needless free-kick for holding Ngog on the left, and when Gerrard swung the set-play into the box, Skrtel was there first in front of Adebayor to stab home from six yards. City needed to up their game now, and with the fire-power of Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz on the bench, they certainly had the ammunition. And they waited until the hour mark to withdraw Barry and send on Tevez, who instantly drew a booking for Lucas following a tangle on the half-way line. City cranked up the pressure as Liverpool fell deeper, and they were level after 69 minutes. Bellamy's corner swirled into the box and it was Adebayor's turn to lose Skrtel this time, heading the ball down into the turf from where it bounced high into the top corner. City struck again after 76 minutes when Tevez and Wright-Phillips worked well to create a chance for Stephen Ireland to flick the ball past Reina. Liverpool's response came just over a minute later. Ngog crossed from the right, the ball deflecting to Benayoun who forced it home from a couple of yards out.
