Liverpool Vs. Manchester City, 2011 Premier League: Halftime, Sides Tied 1-1

Manchester City and Liverpool have not disappointed in the opening 45 minutes of their contest at Anfield, putting on an absolute show. It's been a fantastic display of skill and attacking football from both teams, though the goals have come on a set piece and a terrible error. Both teams have a goal, and the 1-1 halftime score is a fair reflection of the play on the pitch.

Roberto Mancini seems to have learned his lesson that, despite the players available to him, playing two strikers isn't always the way to go. He's selected just one today, with Sergio Aguero playing in a team that doesn't have a true center forward. With Aguero, Samir Nasri, David Silva, James Milner and Yaya Toure all in the side, the off the ball movement and passing in midfield has been superb from City.

The goal came in the 31st minute from Vincent Kompany, who was surprisingly marked by Dirk Kuyt and not a defender on the set piece. While Kuyt's marking was not the best, Kompany did a spectacular job to meet the ball at a high point at the far post, then head the ball back across the face of goal and into the back of the net.

It took just 90 seconds for Liverpool to equalize, and it came on a truly terrible own goal from Joleon Lescott. On a mediocre long shot from Charlie Adam that would have been easily saved by Joe Hart, Lescott stuck out his leg and deflected the ball into the back of the net, gifting Liverpool a goal.

Hart and Pepe Reina have been spectacular thus far. Not only with stopping shots, but command of their areas and coming out to clear balls. Everything about the quality of this game, even down to the command of area and distribution of the goalkeepers, has been fantastic thus far.