Key Takeaways:
- Manchester City secured a 2:1 comeback win at Anfield over Liverpool in the 25th round of the Premier League
- Erling Haaland netted a decisive added-time penalty after a foul by Alisson on Matheus Nunes
- City completed their first league double over Liverpool since the 1936/37 season and now remain six points behind Arsenal
Match Analysis
Manchester City maintained their pursuit of Premier League leaders Arsenal by overcoming Liverpool 2:1 in a pulsating encounter at Anfield, thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time penalty. Entering this 25th-round clash, both sides were seeking crucial points – City to keep up with Arsenal, and Liverpool fighting to stay in the top four battle.
Manchester City enjoyed the upper hand during the first half, orchestrating the majority of attacking moves but failing to capitalise on their dominance. After the interval, the match intensified as the reigning champions, Liverpool, found their rhythm and deservedly went ahead in the 74th minute, courtesy of a superb free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai. Ten minutes later, the balance shifted: Bernardo Silva restored parity after getting behind the Liverpool defence.
🏟️✅ pic.twitter.com/8O6d1pbkCp
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 8, 2026
The game’s key moment arrived in added time. Referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot after Alisson collided rashly with Matheus Nunes inside the area – a challenge where the City man was seemingly unable to reach the ball. Nevertheless, a penalty was awarded and confirmed upon VAR review. Erling Haaland stepped up and calmly converted, securing his first ever goal at Anfield and sending the away fans into raptures. As the closing minutes unfolded, Donnarumma denied Liverpool with an excellent save, before a late Manchester City goal was disallowed following VAR involvement, and Szoboszlai was dismissed for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
With that, City drew within six points of Arsenal, while Liverpool slipped behind Manchester United and Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification.
Line-Ups and Tactical Approaches
Arne Slot elected to field the same starting eleven that had defeated Newcastle 4:1 the previous weekend, Liverpool’s first league victory of 2026. Szoboszlai, once again, featured at right back, with Florian Wirtz positioned behind Hugo Ekitike in attack. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo provided width.
For Manchester City, Erling Haaland returned to lead the line after missing the midweek fixture. Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo supported from the flanks. Notably, Rúben Dias was fit again and included as a substitute, while Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marc Guéhi, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva all returned to the starting eleven. Guardiola made a total of five changes from the side that faced Newcastle.
Key Match Incidents
City created an early opportunity inside two minutes after Bernardo Silva released Haaland, but the striker’s poor touch enabled Alisson to intervene, with Kerkez completing the clearance. Liverpool took time to settle and their first sight of goal did not come until the 26th minute, when Salah’s attempt was diverted by Guéhi.
Much of the first half saw City in the ascendancy, with Liverpool occasionally threatening on the counter. City had a penalty appeal waved away when Marmoush tangled with Konaté, before the hosts had their own claims denied as Salah went down under Bernardo Silva’s challenge. Both incidents were dismissed by referee Craig Pawson.
The second half saw Liverpool pressing with greater urgency. Szoboszlai tested Donnarumma before Gakpo and Ekitike combined for a close-range chance, which the French forward missed. Minutes later, Ekitike spurned another excellent opportunity from a Salah cross. City responded with efforts from Semenyo and Dias.
A pivotal sequence occurred in the 68th minute when Guéhi pulled Salah’s shirt at the edge of the area, tearing it in the process. Pawson awarded a free kick outside the box and showed Guéhi a yellow card, confirmed by VAR.
Szoboszlai eventually broke the deadlock in the 74th minute, curling a sublime free kick from over 25 metres that eluded Donnarumma and found the back of the net. City, however, were not downed – Bernardo Silva equalised ten minutes later, set up by Haaland’s header.
Added time brought high drama. Alisson brought down Nunes for a penalty, which Haaland dispatched with aplomb. Aït-Nouri then squandered a chance to seal the win, with Donnarumma making another crucial intervention at the other end to deny Mac Allister. In the tenth minute of added time, City briefly thought they had scored again, but VAR ruled out the goal and Szoboszlai was shown a straight red card for denying an obvious chance.
Historical Context and Consequences
Earlier in the campaign, City had beaten Liverpool 3:0 at the Etihad, making this their first league double over the Reds since the 1936/37 season. Their latest triumph at Anfield marks their first league win there since 2021.
With this result, Manchester City remain firmly in the title chase, just six points behind leaders Arsenal. Liverpool, meanwhile, must regroup having fallen behind their key rivals, Manchester United and Chelsea, as the race for Champions League spots intensifies.
