Manchester City ended the weekend five points top clear of the Premier League table as British football struggled to come to terms with the shock suicide of Wales manager Gary Speed.
City grabbed the lead at Anfield after the half hour mark when captain Vincent Kompany glanced in a header from a David Silva corner.
But just two minutes later Liverpool were level when Kompany’s clearance from the edge of the area found Dirk Kuyt and the Dutchman laid the ball into the path of the advancing Charlie Adam.
His shot deflected off City defender Joleon Lescott for an own-goal that left England goalkeeper Joe Hart stranded.
City were reduced to 10 men with eight minutes left when striker Mario Balotelli was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Both sides had chances in the second half but neither could force a winner and in stoppage time Hart saved Liverpool substitute striker Andy Carroll’s goalbound header.
But the match was overshadowed by Speed’s death at the age of 42.
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish withdrew Craig Bellamy, the Wales striker and a close friend of Speed’s, from his squad before kick-off.
“I felt that ‘Bellas’ — who was really close to Gary — would not be in the frame of mind to play,” said Dalglish.
Dalglish, reflecting on Speed, added: “He was a smashing lad and was really well respected.
