Substitute Yossi Benayoun saved a point for Liverpool in a tense 2-2 draw with Manchester City at Anfield.

Manchester City had been ahead deep into the second period before Benayoun's close-range intervention.

Liverpool took the lead when Martin Skrtel converted Steven Gerrard's free-kick early in the second half. Emmanuel Adebayor's header and Stephen Ireland's clever close-range flick put City ahead before Benayoun forced home the equaliser.

The first chance came after five minutes. Captain Gerrard swung a set-piece in from the right, Daniel Agger flicked on and Skrtel saw a free header from the left brilliantly saved by Shay Given.

Agger, though, was injured in the incident after clashing heads with Kolo Toure and was carried off suffering from concussion. Then Ryan Babel was hurt in a collision with Nigel De Jong and needed treatment on the line. He lasted only a couple of minutes more and was replaced by Benayoun.

Liverpool went ahead after 49 minutes. Pablo Zabaleta gave away a needless free-kick for holding David Ngog 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 cranked up the pressure as Liverpool fell deeper and they were level after 69 minutes.

Craig 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 Carlos Tevez and Shaun Wright-Phillips worked well to create a chance for Ireland to flick the ball past Jose Reina.

Liverpool's response came within 60 seconds. Ngog crossed from the right, the ball deflecting to Benayoun who forced it home from close range.