Manchester City staged a late-game turnaround at Anfield on Sunday evening, snatching an electrifying 2-1 victory over Liverpool that keeps their Premier League title hopes alive and closes the gap on leaders Arsenal to six points.
It was a spectacle befitting one of English football’s fiercest rivalries — a contest filled with momentum swings, VAR controversy, tension in injury time and, ultimately, a stoppage-time penalty that broke Liverpool hearts and provided City with a crucial three points in their pursuit of silverware.
Szoboszlai Stuns Early, City Rally Back
The game looked to be sliding in Liverpool’s favour midway through the second half when Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed a stunning long-range free kick in the 74th minute, leaving City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma no chance as the ball curled into the top corner. Liverpool’s lead ignited the Anfield crowd and appeared to put the hosts on course for victory.
But Pep Guardiola’s side demonstrated the resilience that has defined their recent Premier League campaigns. Just 10 minutes after falling behind, City drew level courtesy of Bernardo Silva, who tapped home after a flick-on from Erling Haaland created space inside the penalty area.
The scenes that followed in stoppage time encapsulated the drama of the fixture. City were awarded a penalty after a VAR review determined Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker brought down Matheus Nunes inside the box. With the clock in the 90+3rd minute, Haaland — whose league tally now stands at 21 for the season — calmly converted from the spot, sending the travelling City support into raptures.
Chaos, Controversy and VAR Decisions
The match did not end without controversy. Earlier in the closing moments, Rayan Cherki appeared to score a sensational goal from inside his own half once Alisson had moved upfield for a set piece. However, the goal was controversially ruled out after VAR determined that Szoboszlai had committed a shirt-tug on Haaland in the build-up. Szoboszlai was also shown a straight red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity — a decision that sparked passionate debate among fans and pundits alike.
City boss Pep Guardiola expressed his mixed feelings after the whistle, calling the encounter “a brilliant advert for the Premier League” and acknowledging both the quality and intensity on display. “First half was really good, but in the second half we lost a bit of momentum,” Guardiola told reporters, emphasising the difficulty of overcoming a Liverpool side at home but praising his side’s composure under pressure.
Title Race Implications
The result has significant implications in the context of the Premier League title race. Arsenal, currently atop the table, had looked to be pulling clear earlier in the weekend. Sunday’s stunning turnaround cuts the gap to six points with thirteen matches still to play — a margin that City will believe they can claw back as the season progresses.
For Liverpool, the loss is another disappointment in what has been a season of mixed results, leaving them in sixth place and in danger of dropping further if form does not improve. The defeat compounds frustrations for manager Arne Slot, whose side had taken a promising lead only to see it slip away in dramatic fashion at home.
Anfield Drama and Tactical Shifts
From a tactical perspective, the match showcased contrasting approaches. Liverpool were dynamic in the opening stages of the second half — pressing high and creating several chances — but faltered at key moments, particularly in defensive transitions. City, patient and measured, were rewarded for sustained pressure and tactical fluidity that allowed Silva and Haaland to exploit gaps.
Despite Liverpool’s early dominance after the break, they ultimately could not convert enough chances to keep their lead. City’s ability to remain composed in the final minutes, coupled with a measure of fortune in the VAR intervention, tipped the balance in Manchester’s favour.
Haaland’s Impact and City’s Resolve
Erling Haaland’s contributions were arguably decisive. Beyond scoring the winning penalty, he was a constant threat throughout, forcing saves from Alisson and unsettling the Liverpool defence with his physical presence and intelligent runs. His leadership and clinical finishing in pressure moments underscore why he remains one of Europe’s most potent forwards.
City’s captain — and a leading figure in Pep Guardiola’s project — has consistently demonstrated his knack for delivering in crucial fixtures, and this performance was no exception. The late penalty not only secured victory but also provided a psychological boost to City’s title ambitions as the season reaches its business end.
Looking Ahead
Manchester City’s win at Anfield may prove a turning point in their campaign. With Arsenal holding a slender advantage at the summit, Guardiola’s men have now rekindled belief that the title race remains very much open. Maintaining consistency in upcoming fixtures — including key clashes against other top-six rivals — will be crucial if they are to keep pressure on the league leaders.
Liverpool, by contrast, will need to regroup. The margins between success and disappointment are razor thin at the top end of the Premier League, and bouncing back from such a dramatic home defeat will be vital if they are to salvage their own ambitions — whether that be a European place or a late resurgence.
For neutrals and fans alike, Sunday’s encounter will be remembered as one of this season’s defining matches: chaotic, thrilling and unpredictable — a vivid reminder that the Premier League title race is far from over.
