Erling Haaland struck deep into stoppage time to hand Manchester City a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool today, February 8 at Anfield, keeping Pep Guardiola’s side firmly in the Premier League title race and silencing one of English football’s most intimidating arenas.
In a contest packed with tension, controversy and late drama, City showed the resilience of champions to recover from Dominik Szoboszlai’s sensational free-kick and secure a win that could yet prove pivotal in the destiny of the 2025–26 season.
The first half ended goalless, but not for a lack of intent from the visitors.
City dominated possession and territory, with Haaland leading the line alongside Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush, constantly stretching Liverpool’s defensive structure.
Alisson was called into action as early as the first minute, producing a sharp block to deny Haaland, before repeating the feat later in the half as City probed relentlessly without reward.
Liverpool, slow out of the blocks, took nearly 25 minutes to register their first attempt on goal.
However, Arne Slot’s side emerged with far greater purpose after the interval.
Hugo Ekitike twice went agonisingly close, first dragging a right-footed effort just wide with Gianluigi Donnarumma beaten, then nodding Mohamed Salah’s delicate cross narrowly past the post.
As the game opened up, chances arrived at both ends.
Rúben Dias tested Alisson from distance, while Florian Wirtz was denied at the other end by a heroic block, the match teetering on the edge as tension inside Anfield grew.
That tension erupted in the 74th minute.
From fully 30 yards out, Szoboszlai stepped up and unleashed an extraordinary free-kick that swerved beyond Donnarumma and crashed inside the post.
Anfield exploded in disbelief as the Hungarian repeated the trick of his stunning strike against Arsenal earlier in the season a goal worthy of deciding any match.
Yet City refused to fold. With just six minutes remaining, Bernardo Silva restored parity, finishing calmly after sustained pressure and shifting the momentum decisively in City’s favour.
Liverpool, who have struggled to protect late leads throughout the campaign, suddenly looked fragile.
The decisive moment arrived in added time. Matheus Nunes burst into the penalty area and was clattered by Alisson, who misjudged the challenge.
Referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot without hesitation, and Haaland the embodiment of composure stepped forward.
The Norwegian made no mistake.
His 93rd-minute penalty was drilled past Alisson to spark wild celebrations among the travelling supporters and register his 21st Premier League goal of the season.
The drama, however, was far from over.
Moments later, City thought they had added a remarkable third when Rayan Cherki found the net from inside his own half, with Alisson stranded upfield.
But VAR intervened, ruling the goal out and instead showing Szoboszlai a straight red card for pulling Haaland back and denying a clear goalscoring opportunity earlier in the move.
It mattered little in the end.
City saw out the remaining moments to claim a famous victory their first league win at Anfield in front of supporters since 2003, and only their third in 23 league visits.
The result also completed City’s first league double over Liverpool since the 1936–37 season.
The win cuts Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to six points with 13 matches remaining, ensuring the title race remains alive and fiercely contested.
For Guardiola, whose future at City continues to be the subject of intense speculation, it was a rare and possibly symbolic triumph.
In 11 previous visits to Anfield, he had won just once a behind-closed-doors victory during the pandemic in 2021.
If this proves to be his final appearance there, it was one to remember.
For Liverpool, the questions grow louder.
This was the fourth time this season they have conceded a 90th-minute or later winner a worrying trend for reigning champions now four points adrift of fifth-placed Chelsea and under increasing pressure to secure Champions League qualification.
Szoboszlai’s moment of brilliance will long be remembered, but it was City’s collective belief, ruthlessness and late surge that ultimately defined the night.
Anfield has broken many teams.
This time, Manchester City walked away unbroken and very much alive.
