A bout of appendicitis is the reason behind his absence, with the manager handing the reigns over to his coaching staff; Zeljko Buvac, Peter Krawietz, Pepijn Lijnders and John Achterber.
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Indeed, it was the left-backs who looked like the most unsafe players at stages in the opening 45 minutes, with Liverpool’s first chance falling to Alberto Moreno when his low drive was saved by the feet of Vito Mannone after Adam Lallana had slipped a pass through.
After his operation at Aintree Hospital, the German was informed that his side had drawn 2-2 at home to Sunderland, having squandered a two-goal lead with nine minutes remaining.
Thousands of Liverpool fans exited the stadium in the 77th minute in protest at a new ticket pricing initiative from the club that angered many on Merseyside this week, the scheme including top-priced tickets in the Main Stand that will cost £77.
The first period will best be remembered for the loss of defender Dejan Lovren and midfielder Joe Allen, although Daniel Sturridge’s name on the substitute bench for the first time in two months, will be the one positive on an otherwise sour day. James Milner cut in from the left and curled in a terrific cross that picked out Firmino who headed home at the far post.
Jermain Defoe picked up the ball on the edge of the area, twisted Sakho inside out, and buried it past a helpless Simon Mignolet.
However, Adam Johnson hit back with a free-kick before Jermain Defore rescued a point at the death.
Liverpool has 35 points, level with Everton following the Toffees’ impressive 3-0 win at Stoke.
“We deserved a lot [against City] on Tuesday, we may not have deserved what we got here, but we took our chances and we got a precious point. There are still eight to 10 minutes where you have to be calm and play”.
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Aston Villa, rock bottom of the Premier League table with a miserable 14 points before kick off, required no less than victory from Norwich City.
