Erling Haaland struck deep into stoppage time as Manchester City fought back to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points and reigniting the title race.
The Norwegian forward calmly converted a late penalty for his 21st league goal of the season, completing a thrilling turnaround after Liverpool had looked set for victory. Dominik Szoboszlai had broken the deadlock in the 74th minute with a superb free kick, but City refused to fold, levelling through Bernardo Silva before Haaland delivered the decisive blow.
The closing moments were chaotic and intense. City appeared to have added a third goal when Rayan Cherki launched an audacious effort from near the halfway line after Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson pushed forward. As the ball trickled towards goal, Haaland and Szoboszlai raced back, grappling as they chased it down. Following a VAR review, the goal was ruled out, Szoboszlai was shown a red card for pulling Haaland’s shirt, and City were awarded a free kick instead.
“It was a brilliant advert for the Premier League,” City manager Pep Guardiola told the BBC. “Anfield is always difficult. What a free kick from Szoboszlai, but after that, led by our captain Bernardo, we came back.”
The victory proved pivotal for City, who were facing the prospect of falling nine points behind Arsenal. Instead, Guardiola’s side remain firmly in the title hunt, while Liverpool slipped to sixth place, now 11 points adrift of City.
City controlled much of the opening exchanges, dominating possession and quietening the home crowd early on. Haaland nearly gave the visitors a dream start when Bernardo Silva played him through in the second minute, but Alisson rushed off his line to deny the striker.
January signing Marc Guehi endured a hostile reception from the Anfield faithful, with loud boos accompanying his every touch, a reminder of Liverpool’s failed attempt to sign him from Crystal Palace last summer. Despite the pressure, the England defender impressed, thwarting attacks from Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike as Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target before half-time.
Liverpool thought they had a penalty late in the first half when Salah went down under pressure from Silva during a set piece, but neither the referee nor VAR deemed it a foul, leaving the scoreline level at the interval.
The hosts returned with renewed intensity after the break, registering four shots in the opening 11 minutes of the second half as Anfield roared back to life. Ekitike squandered two chances, while Szoboszlai tested City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before producing a moment of brilliance from a free kick that bent beyond the Italian’s reach.
City responded with composure, drawing level 10 minutes later when Haaland nodded a cross into Silva’s path, allowing the captain to finish from close range.
The defining moment arrived in added time when Matheus Nunes was sent clear down the right and brought down by Alisson inside the penalty area. Haaland stepped up to convert confidently, scoring his first-ever goal at Anfield and sealing a vital three points.
The striker, who had managed just one league goal since the turn of the year, celebrated by pulling off his shirt as City’s players and staff celebrated a result that could yet shape the title race.
“For us, this was a must-win game,” Silva told Sky Sports. “When I scored, I was happy, but we knew we needed another. Erling delivered. We all felt before kick-off that if we lost, the title race was probably over.”
