Manchester City reignited their Premier League title challenge with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield tonight, sealing all three points through Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time penalty after a breathless contest that swung wildly in the final quarter. For long stretches, it felt like Liverpool had wrestled control of the match and were on course for a huge win in the title race, only for City to demonstrate once again why they remain so dangerous when games enter chaotic territory.
City arrived knowing defeat would leave them with a mountain to climb in the title race, and their urgency showed early. Within minutes Bernardo Silva slipped Haaland through, forcing Alisson into a sharp intervention to prevent an early breakthrough. Moments later Omar Marmoush escaped down the left but dragged his finish wide, while Kevin De Bruyne’s clever movement repeatedly tested Liverpool’s defensive positioning.
Liverpool, meanwhile, took time to find rhythm. Their attempts to build from the back were regularly disrupted by City’s pressing, and early attacking moves broke down before reaching the penalty area. Anfield’s frustration briefly boiled over when Mohamed Salah tumbled under pressure inside the box, appeals for a penalty ringing around the stadium before play continued. By half-time, City had enjoyed the clearer chances, though neither side managed to produce the decisive final touch.
The tone changed after the restart. Liverpool began winning more duels in midfield, and their pressing started to pin City deeper. Salah became more influential, dragging defenders out of position, and the home side carved out the best chance of the match when Salah whipped a superb cross onto the head of Hugo Ekitiké, who somehow guided his effort wide from only a few yards out. That miss felt enormous in hindsight.
City struggled briefly to regain control as Liverpool sensed vulnerability. Florian Wirtz twice threatened with clever movement around the area, and Dominik Szoboszlai increasingly took charge in midfield, driving forward and forcing City to defend deeper than Guardiola would have liked. The breakthrough eventually arrived on 74 minutes and it was worthy of such a heavyweight contest. Szoboszlai stepped up over a long-range free-kick and unleashed a powerful strike that swerved viciously, struck the inside of the post and bounced in, sending Anfield into a frenzy.
At that moment, Liverpool looked in command. City’s passing grew hurried and Guardiola prowled the touchline demanding calm, but the visitors found the response champions often produce. The introduction of Rayan Cherki injected fresh energy, and City began to move the ball more quickly again, forcing Liverpool back toward their own box. The equaliser came six minutes from time when Haaland battled to keep an attack alive and nodded the ball into Silva’s path, allowing the Portuguese midfielder to drive home from close range.
The closing moments descended into pure drama. Liverpool pushed desperately for a winner while City sensed space opening behind them. In stoppage time, Matheus Nunes chased a loose ball and collided with Alisson as the goalkeeper attempted to intervene. After a brief pause, the referee awarded a penalty. Haaland, unfazed by the hostile atmosphere, calmly dispatched the kick to put City ahead with only moments remaining.
Anfield then witnessed one final twist. Liverpool threw everyone forward, including Alisson, in search of an equaliser, leaving their goal exposed. City broke clear, and Cherki rolled a shot from near halfway into the empty net. Celebrations were cut short when VAR intervened for an earlier tussle between Haaland and Szoboszlai in the build-up. The goal was ruled out, and Szoboszlai was subsequently shown a red card in the chaos that followed, leaving Liverpool with 10 men and no time left to respond.
Pep Guardiola praised his side’s composure afterward, emphasising how important it was not to panic after falling behind and highlighting the team’s belief that chances would still come late in the game. He described the match as one of the toughest environments to win in and credited his players for staying mentally strong until the end.
Arne Slot expressed frustration at how the game slipped away after Liverpool had seized momentum, pointing to missed chances and late defensive lapses as decisive factors. He maintained that his team played well for long periods and felt they deserved more, but admitted small mistakes against elite opposition are often punished ruthlessly.
In the end, Liverpool will look back on Ekitiké’s missed header and the late penalty decision as turning points, while City leave Merseyside with a victory that could yet reshape the title race. For neutral observers, it was another unforgettable chapter in one of English football’s great modern rivalries — a match decided not by control, but by nerve, precision and drama when it mattered most.
