LIVERPOOL, England — Erling Haaland’s late penalty secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Manchester City over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, . The win cuts Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to six points, breathing new life into the title race, while simultaneously deepening Liverpool’s concerns regarding Champions League qualification.
Dominik Szoboszlai had appeared to have given Liverpool the win with a stunning 74th-minute free kick, a moment that briefly restored the vibrant atmosphere Anfield has become known for. However, City responded with characteristic resilience. Bernardo Silva equalized in the 84th minute, capitalizing on a moment created by Haaland, before the Norwegian striker won a penalty in added time after being fouled by Alisson.
Haaland calmly converted the spot-kick, his 21st Premier League goal of the season, sending the traveling City supporters into raptures. The drama wasn’t over there, however. City even had the ball in the net again through Rayan Cherki, only for the goal to be disallowed following a VAR review. The review also revealed a foul by Szoboszlai on Haaland in the build-up, resulting in a red card for the Liverpool midfielder and a free-kick to City.
The victory marks City’s first at Anfield in front of fans since , a significant milestone for Pep Guardiola’s side. While not their most dominant performance, City demonstrated a crucial ability to fight back and secure a result even when not at their best. This resilience will be vital as they attempt to chase down Arsenal in the remaining 13 games of the season.
Arsenal’s trip to the Etihad Stadium remains a pivotal fixture in the title race. As long as City remain within striking distance, Guardiola’s team will draw on the experience of previous campaigns where they have overhauled leads in the final stretch. This win at Anfield serves as a potent reminder of their title-winning pedigree.
For Liverpool, the defeat is a particularly damaging blow to their hopes of securing a Champions League place. They now trail fifth-placed Chelsea by four points and are facing an increasingly uphill battle to qualify for Europe’s elite competition. The manner of the defeat – conceding late goals and suffering a controversial VAR decision – will undoubtedly be a source of frustration for manager Arne Slot.
Liverpool have now conceded six goals after the 90th minute in the Premier League this season, all resulting in either defeats or draws. This pattern of late collapses is a worrying trend that Slot must address quickly. The team’s inability to see out games is costing them valuable points in a fiercely competitive race for the top four.
Haaland’s performance, despite a largely quiet afternoon, underscored his importance to Manchester City. While he may not have been at his most prolific, his assist for Silva’s equalizer and his decisive penalty demonstrated his ability to impact a game even when not at his peak. His presence alone forces defenses to focus their attention, creating space for his teammates.
The game also highlighted the contrasting fortunes of two players who have been instrumental to Liverpool’s success in recent years: Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker. While both remain key figures, there are signs that their levels are beginning to dip. Salah was unable to make a significant impact and Alisson’s costly foul on Matheus Nunes proved decisive.
The failure to secure Marc Guéhi in the summer transfer window is also beginning to look like a missed opportunity for Liverpool. The Crystal Palace defender, who ultimately joined Manchester City, demonstrated his quality throughout the match, providing a solid defensive presence and showcasing his composure on the ball. His absence is keenly felt in a Liverpool defense that has looked vulnerable at times this season.
Szoboszlai’s red card compounded a difficult afternoon for Liverpool. The Hungarian midfielder had been one of the team’s standout performers this season, and his dismissal leaves a void in midfield. His sending off, stemming from a foul on Haaland, was a moment of frustration that ultimately proved costly.
