Mahrez costs City 2 points

Manchester City's record signing Riyad Mahrez blazed an 86th-minute penalty over the bar to preserve Liverpool's unbeaten Premier League record as both sides failed to lay down an early marker in the title race with a disappointing 0-0 draw at Anfield.

City remain top of the table on goal difference, but both teams are now locked with Chelsea -- who cantered to a 3-0 win earlier at Southampton -- on 20 points from eight games.

Unlike the four enthralling encounters between the two last season when Liverpool beat the English champions three times, a highly-anticipated clash fell flat with neither side managing to register a shot on target until after the hour mark.

City had the golden chance four minutes from time when substitute Leroy Sane was upended by Virgil van Dijk and referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot after waving away two earlier strong appeals from the visitors for a penalty.

"It is not smart to dive in there," Van Dijk told Sky Sports. "It was a penalty and it shouldn't have happened, but I'm very happy we didn't concede."

"We were unlucky not to score, and lucky not to concede as well, so I think we cancelled each other out. It was a tough game against the champions and I'm happy we kept the clean sheet," he added.

With Sergio Aguero replaced on the hour mark, Mahrez, a £60-million signing from Leicester in July, took responsibility but fired high over the bar to Liverpool's relief as City's wait for a first win at Anfield since 2003 continued.

"We tried to win and we didn't concede at Anfield which is special," said City manager Pep Guardiola. "We had our chance and we tried to be ourselves."

Speaking about Mahrez, he said: "He had the courage to take the penalty, in training he shoots perfect penalties but sometimes it happens.

"The usual taker is Sergio Aguero but he wasn't there. We played so well so if you want to analyse the result it was OK. Last season we lost here, and this season we drew, maybe next season we will win."

After starting the season with seven straight wins Liverpool have now failed to win in any of their past four matches.

Earlier, Arsenal dismantled Fulham 5-1 with a flowing performance that featured braces from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alexander Lacazette and a sublime Aaron Ramsey strike.