Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker couldn’t reach Leroy Sane’s shot that went off the post and in, putting Manchester City up for good in the 72nd minute. Phil Noble/Reuters
MANCHESTER, England — The first ball floated backward, spinning and arcing toward the net. For a second, it hung in the air, a foot or so above the white goal line. Manchester City, Liverpool, the Etihad Stadium crowd all held their breath.
And then John Stones reached it, and sent it as far away from himself, from danger, as he could. Anthony Taylor, the referee, checked his watch for the goal-line technology reading that would determine if the entire ball had crossed the line before Stones reached it.