An injury-time penalty from Erling Haaland secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Manchester City over Liverpool at Anfield on . The win keeps City within six points of Premier League leaders Arsenal and delivers a significant blow to Liverpool’s Champions League qualification hopes.
Dominik Szoboszlai had appeared to have secured a vital three points for Liverpool with a stunning free-kick in the 74th minute. However, City responded through Bernardo Silva, who volleyed home Haaland’s headed knockdown in the 84th minute. The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Matheus Nunes was brought down in the box, leading to a penalty that Haaland confidently converted.
The match was not without its controversy. Following Haaland’s penalty, a chaotic sequence unfolded involving both players and a potential goal for Liverpool, ultimately disallowed after a VAR review. Szoboszlai was subsequently sent off, adding further drama to the already tense encounter. The referee, Craig Pawson, ruled that Haaland had been fouled, denying a goal-scoring opportunity, and overturned Rayan Cherki’s goal, while also issuing a red card to Szoboszlai.
The result marks City’s first win at Anfield since 2003 and represents a crucial three points in the tightly contested title race. Arsenal currently lead the table, with City now six points behind. Aston Villa sits in third, three points behind City. Liverpool, meanwhile, find themselves in a precarious position, four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea and facing an uphill battle to secure a Champions League spot.
Szoboszlai’s opening goal was a moment of brilliance, a powerful free-kick that left City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma rooted to the spot. The Hungarian international has a knack for delivering in big games, having previously scored a similar goal against Arsenal earlier in the season. However, his afternoon ended on a sour note with the late dismissal.
Bernardo Silva’s equalizer showcased City’s relentless attacking threat. Haaland’s initial header created the opportunity, and Silva was quick to react, poking the ball past Alisson Becker. The goal demonstrated City’s ability to find a way back into the game even when facing adversity.
The penalty decision that ultimately decided the match was met with debate. The incident saw Nunes go down under a challenge from Alisson, and after a VAR check, a penalty was awarded. Haaland made no mistake from the spot, sending Alisson the wrong way.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed his frustration with the late penalty decision and the subsequent red card for Szoboszlai. He also highlighted the team’s inability to hold onto a lead, a recurring theme this season. “It’s disappointing to concede so late in the game,” Slot said, according to Liverpool FC’s official website. “We need to be more clinical and see out matches when we are in a winning position.”
The game also saw a strong performance from City goalkeeper Donnarumma, who made a crucial save to deny Alexis Mac Allister a late equalizer. Donnarumma’s stop proved vital in preserving City’s lead and ultimately securing the victory.
The chaotic finish to the match encapsulated the intensity and unpredictability of the Premier League. The combination of stunning goals, controversial decisions, and late drama made for a captivating spectacle at Anfield. The result will undoubtedly have significant ramifications for both the title race and the battle for Champions League qualification.
Liverpool’s struggles to maintain a top-four position are becoming increasingly concerning. They currently sit on 39 points, five behind Manchester United and four behind Chelsea. Their form in recent weeks has been inconsistent, and they will need to find a way to rediscover their early-season momentum if they are to salvage their season.
For Manchester City, the win represents a significant step forward in their pursuit of a fourth consecutive Premier League title. Haaland’s return to form is a major boost, and their ability to grind out results even when not at their best is a testament to their quality, and experience. The six-point gap to Arsenal is still considerable, but City will be confident of closing the gap in the remaining months of the season.
The match also highlighted the growing importance of VAR in the modern game. The decisions to award the penalty and send off Szoboszlai were both made after lengthy VAR reviews, demonstrating the technology’s influence on key moments in matches. The incident involving Cherki’s disallowed goal and Szoboszlai’s red card sparked debate about the interpretation of the rules and the consistency of VAR decisions.
