'Kevin De Bruyne is every bit as talented, committed and driven as Ronaldo'

It is a bit harsh to say but when Kevin de Bruyne takes off his shirt and hands it into the visiting throng, he is no Cristiano Ronaldo.

But he is ripped, all right. Ripped with talent, ripped with commitment, ripped with drive.

In this humdinger of a contest, not a massive amount had gone swimmingly for the Belgian.

He was always available, always making the right runs, always trying to direct affairs. Obviously.

But so often his delivery went unusually astray and when he was presented with a headed sitter in a City-dominated first period, he must have closed his eyes.

Kevin de Bruyne scored Man City's second equaliser ( Image:

Andrew Yates/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

When he opened them, it was somewhere towards the concourse.

It threatened to be that sort of day.

But class is permanent, and De Bruyne started and finished the move - albeit with deflected aid from Joel Matip - that gave Pep Guardiola's side their deserved point.

No wonder the jersey-less De Bruyne was serenaded by the City contingent.

Those celebrations were understandable, given that City twice had to come from behind in a breathtaking second 45 minutes.

Firstly, the magnificent Phil Foden speared one into the far corner after Mohamed Salah's dash and pass had allowed Sadio Mane to strike without breaking stride.

And then, De Bruyne's crisp left-footer took that crucial diversion after Salah had restored Liverpool s lead with an individual effort that only cemented his status as the heir apparent to the established greats of this game.

But as the celebrations subsided, the reality that this was an opportunity wasted might have struck some City punters and personnel.

After all, imagine if City had one predator whose hunting ground was the penalty box.

Had there been one in a lopsided opening half, this contest would have been settled before Klopp had been given the chance to give his half-paced team a half-time caning.

Mo Salah scores for Liverpool ( Image:

Andrew Yates/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

As it was, Foden's slight shortage of ruthlessness, Alisson's surplus of awareness and referee Paul Tierney's standard quota of hopelessness kept Liverpool in the game.

Foden against James Milner was a mismatch and although the Liverpool right-back's challenge started outside the penalty area, it continued into the box and should have been penalised.

Tierney did not see it that way, just as, in the second half, Tierney somehow considered Milner's cynical trip on Bernardo Silva to be unworthy of a second yellow.

Moments later, Salah put Liverpool ahead for the second time.

But let's not dwell on Tierney's inconsistencies and, for now, let's not dwell on Guardiola's manic ranting that earned him a yellow card.

Those important topics can wait.

For now, though, dwell on a cracking second half that showcased everything that is wonderful about these two teams, these two managers and this league of football.

Dwell on how Liverpool can be inspired, dwell on how Salah can change a game with one incomparable thrust of his talent.

Dwell on how City can pass the ball like no other team, dwell on how De Bruyne's quality will always force its way to centre-stage.

Kevin De Bruyne applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City ( Image:

Michael Regan/Getty Images)

A good while later, De Bruyne and Salah bumped into each other a few yards from the interview area.

In animated fashion, they chatted for minutes before saying a fond goodbye.

Think about this.

One of these two players will not win the Premier League, one of these two teams will not win the Premier League.

And that tells you all you need to know about just how good it is.