Intro
Haaland penalty stuns Anfield as City claw back to revive title chase
Liverpool
Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time penalty capped a breathless finale as Manchester City pulled off a dramatic 2-1 comeback win against Liverpool at Anfield, keeping the Premier League title race alive and trimming the gap to leaders Arsenal to six points.
Liverpool looked set for a crucial victory after Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock in the 74th minute with a sublime, swerving free kick that left City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma rooted to the spot. The goal ignited Anfield and appeared to push Pep Guardiola’s side towards a damaging nine-point deficit in the title race.
City, however, responded with trademark resilience. Bernardo Silva led the charge, equalising late when Haaland smartly headed a cross into his path for a close-range finish. The pressure mounted in a chaotic closing stretch that saw controversy, VAR drama and raw emotion spill across the pitch.
Deep into stoppage time, City were handed a lifeline when Matheus Nunes was brought down by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson after being sent through on the right. Haaland stepped up and calmly converted the penalty — his 21st league goal of the season — silencing the Anfield crowd and scoring his first Premier League goal at the famous ground.
Moments earlier, City’s Rayan Cherki appeared to have scored from near the halfway line after Alisson had ventured forward, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR check. Szoboszlai was also sent off in the aftermath for pulling Haaland’s shirt, adding to the sense of chaos.
City had dominated possession early, with Haaland denied by a swift Alisson in the second minute. Liverpool, who struggled for attacking fluency in the first half, were transformed after the break but ultimately paid for defensive lapses late on.
The victory keeps Guardiola’s side firmly in the title hunt, while Liverpool slipped to sixth, now 11 points behind City. As Bernardo Silva admitted later, defeat would likely have ended City’s hopes — instead, they march on, breathing new life into the race.
