Postpublished at 90 + 5 mins
Liverpool 1-2 Man City
A few minutes ago Arsenal's lead at the top was nine points.
It's now down to six after incredible drama at Anfield.
At a glance
Dominik Szoboszlai breaks the deadlock for Liverpool with superb free-kick
Bernardo Silva equalises for Manchester City in the 84th minute before Erling Haaland converts from the spot in added time
Szoboszlai then sent off after VAR check for denying Haaland as Rayan Cherki's goal is disallowed
Second-placed City cut Arsenal's lead at the top to six points, while Liverpool are sixth
Erling Haaland scored a dramatic 93rd-minute penalty as Manchester City pulled off a stunning comeback against Liverpool to keep the Premier League title race alive.
A battling win for Pep Guardiola's second-placed side cut Arsenal's lead at the top to six points, with 13 games remaining.
Bernardo Silva's 84th-minute equaliser had initially cancelled out Dominik Szoboszlai's superb free-kick 10 minutes earlier.
Then in added time, Matheus Nunes was bundled over inside the box by Liverpool keeper Alisson and referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot.
Haaland made no mistake, as he scored his 21st Premier League goal of the season to send the visiting fans wild.
City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma then made a brilliant save to deny Alexis Mac Allister - a minute before City had the ball in the net again through Rayan Cherki's finish from inside his own half, with Alisson out of his goal after supporting his side's attack.
But the effort was ruled out after a video assistant referee (VAR) check, with Szoboszlai instead sent off in the 13th minute of added time for fouling Haaland before the ball rolled in, and a free-kick awarded to City instead.
Either way, it didn't matter as City won at Anfield for the first time since 2021, but in front of fans for a first time since 2003.
City dominated possession in the first half but failed to make it count by taking their chances, with Alisson making a good block to deny Haaland in the first minute and again later in the half.
Their front three of Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush constantly asked Liverpool's defence questions but lacked that ruthlessness in front of goal.
It took 25 minutes for Arne Slot's side to have an attempt on goal themselves, but they were much better after the break, with Hugo Ekitike twice coming close to the opener.
First, his right-footed strike went narrowly wide with Donnarumma beaten, and minutes later, Salah found Ekitike with a superb sliced cross but the Frenchman's header drifted agonisingly wide.
With a draw no good for City, the game opened up and Ruben Dias came close with a shot, before Florian Wirtz was denied by a terrific block from Marc Guehi at the other end.
Somehow the game remained goalless until the 74th minute when Szoboszlai stepped up to score his ninth goal of the campaign with an absolute belter from a set-piece - in the same manner that he did against Arsenal here in August.
It was hit from around 30 yards and swerved inside the post, leaving Donnarumma static and helpless.
But unlike that day when Liverpool held on for victory, City showed tremendous resilience to complete a memorable comeback.
With speculation about his future, it remains to be seen if Guardiola has managed his last game for City at Anfield.
But if he has, he will end with a rare win. This was his 11th visit and his only previous win (D3 L6) came here in 2021, when the game was played without fans due to the pandemic.
This also completed a notable first league double over their rivals since the 1936-37 campaign.
'The hope is there' - how Man City 'just' kept themselves in title race
'Killjoy' - did VAR get late drama in Liverpool v Man City right?
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City: Arne Slot post-match reaction
Once Szoboszlai scored a goal worthy of winning many a football match, Liverpool should not have lost this game.
Slot's side were poor in the first half, but looked a different force in the second period, with Salah, Wirtz and Ekitike all growing into the game.
Szoboszlai's strike left most of the ground in disbelief, with Ibrahima Konate holding his hands on his head.
But, yet again, Liverpool failed to see the game out.
Only this time, it went from bad to worse when Alisson made a poor decision to bring Nunes crashing down for the penalty.
Liverpool have now conceded four 90th-minute winners in league matches this season - the joint-most by a team in a single Premier League campaign after Watford in 2017-18, West Ham in 2021-22, Watford again in 2021-22, and Southampton in 2024-25.
And with Szoboszlai dismissed - as he grabbed Haaland's shirt to prevent the Norwegian striker making sure Cherki's shot went in - and banned for Wednesday's game against Sunderland, it remains to be seen who could fill in at right-back.
Guardiola had spoken pre-match about the power of Anfield and how it was a stage that called for big personalities to make a difference.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, it was City who turned up in numbers on that front when it mattered most.
Slot's side are now four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea. There's still a long way to go, but it would be inexplicable if the current champions failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Liverpool clash a 'good advert for the Premier League' - Guardiola
Although this contest for City was against the reigning champions at a ground where they have had little joy, it was a game they could ill-afford to drop points in their hunt to chase down leaders Arsenal.
And until the 84th minute it looked like they were heading back across the M62 with nothing.
But up stepped captain Silva and star striker Haaland to inspire an incredible rescue act at Anfield and stay within touching distance of Mikel Arteta's men, who they host in April.
City were on top for large periods of the first half but unable to capitalise on their early dominance, with Haaland having an early effort smothered by Alisson in front of the Kop.
It looked to be a crucial moment when Liverpool took the lead. but the Norwegian played a major part in turning the game around in the breathless finale.
Haaland knocked down Cherki's cross for Silva to poke home the equaliser from close range - the Portuguese midfielder's first goal since May, but fourth against the Reds.
Despite missing a penalty against Liverpool in the 3-0 win at Etihad Stadium back in November, Haaland remained calm to roll in the injury-time spot-kick this time for his first goal at Anfield and second in eight league games.
City defender Guehi made some timely challenges at the back, but was fortunate to stay on the pitch when receiving only a yellow card for a tug on Salah on the edge of the box.
But the ex-Crystal Palace captain will enjoy the victory, having been jeered throughout by home supporters after his move to Liverpool collapsed last summer and he joined Guardiola's men in January.
Tempers boiled over after Cherki's disallowed goal - and Szoboszlai's red card - deep into injury-time, with the two benches exchanging words and a spectator being led away after running on to the pitch.
But City - with centre-back Ruben Dias returning to action - held on for the final few seconds to record a success they desperately needed, not only to end their Anfield hoodoo, but warn Arsenal they are not champions yet.
Referee shouldn't have given Szoboszlai red card - Haaland
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 49 | 17 | 32 | 56 |
| |
| 25 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 51 | 24 | 27 | 50 |
| |
| 25 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 36 | 27 | 9 | 47 |
| |
| 25 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 46 | 36 | 10 | 44 |
| |
| 25 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 45 | 28 | 17 | 43 |
| |
| 25 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 40 | 35 | 5 | 39 |
| |
| 25 | 12 | 3 | 10 | 39 | 34 | 5 | 39 |
| |
| 25 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 28 | 28 | 0 | 37 |
| |
| 25 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 27 | 29 | -2 | 36 |
| |
| 25 | 10 | 4 | 11 | 35 | 37 | -2 | 34 |
| |
| 25 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 41 | 44 | -3 | 34 |
| |
| 25 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 35 | 36 | -1 | 33 |
| |
| 25 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 26 | 29 | -3 | 32 |
| |
| 25 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 34 | 33 | 1 | 31 |
| |
| 25 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 35 | 35 | 0 | 29 |
| |
| 25 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 34 | 43 | -9 | 29 |
| |
| 25 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 25 | 38 | -13 | 26 |
| |
| 25 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 31 | 48 | -17 | 23 |
| |
| 25 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 25 | 49 | -24 | 15 |
| |
| 25 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 16 | 48 | -32 | 8 |
|
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Formation: 4 - 1 - 3 - 2
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Formation: 4 - 1 - 3 - 2
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
Low chance of scoring
Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | Liverpool |
2' | Manchester City |
3' | Manchester City |
4' | Manchester City |
5' | Liverpool |
6' | Liverpool |
7' | Liverpool |
8' | Liverpool |
9' | Manchester City |
10' | Manchester City |
11' | Liverpool |
12' | Liverpool |
13' | Liverpool |
14' | Manchester City |
15' | Manchester City |
16' | Manchester City |
17' | Manchester City |
18' | Manchester City |
19' | Manchester City |
20' | Manchester City |
21' | Manchester City |
22' | Manchester City |
23' | Manchester City |
24' | Manchester City |
25' | Manchester City |
26' | Manchester City |
27' | Liverpool |
28' | Liverpool |
29' | Liverpool |
30' | Liverpool |
31' | Liverpool |
32' | Liverpool |
33' | Liverpool |
34' | Manchester City |
35' | Manchester City |
36' | Liverpool |
37' | Liverpool |
38' | Manchester City |
39' | Manchester City |
40' | Manchester City |
41' | Manchester City |
42' | Manchester City |
43' | Liverpool |
44' | Liverpool |
45' | Liverpool |
45'+1 | Liverpool |
45'+2 | Manchester City |
Half time 45'+3 | Manchester City |
46' | Liverpool |
47' | Liverpool |
48' | Manchester City |
49' | Manchester City |
50' | Manchester City |
51' | Liverpool |
52' | Liverpool |
53' | Liverpool |
54' | Liverpool |
55' | Liverpool |
56' | Liverpool |
57' | Liverpool |
58' | Liverpool |
59' | Liverpool |
60' | Liverpool |
61' | Liverpool |
62' | Liverpool |
63' | Manchester City |
64' | Liverpool |
65' | Liverpool |
66' | Liverpool |
67' | Liverpool |
68' | Liverpool |
69' | Liverpool |
70' | Liverpool |
71' | Liverpool |
72' | Liverpool |
73' | Liverpool |
74' | LiverpoolGoal |
75' | Liverpool |
76' | Liverpool |
77' | Liverpool |
78' | Liverpool |
79' | Liverpool |
80' | Liverpool |
81' | Liverpool |
82' | Liverpool |
83' | Manchester City |
84' | Manchester CityGoal |
85' | Manchester City |
86' | Manchester City |
87' | Manchester City |
88' | Manchester City |
89' | Liverpool |
90' | Manchester City |
90'+1 | Manchester City |
90'+2 | Manchester City |
90'+3 | Manchester CityPenalty |
90'+4 | Manchester City |
90'+5 | Liverpool |
90'+6 | Liverpool |
90'+7 | Liverpool |
90'+8 | Liverpool |
90'+9 | Liverpool |
90'+10 | Liverpool |
90'+11 | Liverpool |
90'+12 | Liverpool |
90'+13 | LiverpoolRed Card |
90'+14 | Liverpool |
Full time 90'+15 | Liverpool |
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 22 Premier League home games against Manchester City (W14 D7), with that defeat coming the only time they hosted them as reigning champions (1-4 in February 2021).
Following their 3-0 win at the Etihad in November, Manchester City are looking to complete their first league double over Liverpool since 1936-37, which was also the last time they won consecutive league games against them.
Liverpool lost 3-0 in the reverse fixture against Manchester City – the last team to beat them twice to nil in the same Premier League campaign was West Ham United in 2015-16.
Only Liverpool (9) and Manchester United (7) have won more away games against reigning Premier League champions than Manchester City (6), with the Citizens winning five of their last six visits (L1).
From MD6 to MD12 this season, Liverpool lost more Premier League games than any other club (P7 W1 L6); since MD13, no side has lost fewer games than the Reds (P12 W5 D6 L1).
Manchester City are the only Premier League side in 2026 so far who have not conceded a single goal in the first half of a match, scoring six times themselves. However, they are also the only side who haven’t scored a second half goal yet, conceding six goals.
Since the start of last season, only three teams have picked up more points from losing positions in the Premier League than Liverpool (28), while only Brighton (42) have scored more goals in games where they’ve conceded the first goal than the Reds (41), who won 4-1 on MD24 after going 1-0 down to Newcastle.
Man City’s Erling Haaland has failed to score in all three of his Premier League away games against Liverpool. Anfield is one of just two grounds he’s played at but not scored in the competition, along with Sunderland’s Stadium of Light (1 app).
Only Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (3.4) has created more chances per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season than Man City’s Rayan Cherki (3). It’s the most by a player in their debut season (min. 1,000 mins played) since Emiliano Buendía in 2019-20 for Norwich (also 3).
Hugo Ekitiké has scored or assisted every 112 minutes in the Premier League this season (10 goals, 2 assists in 1,342 minutes), the best ratio by a Liverpool player in their first season at the club since Mohamed Salah in 2017-18 (32 goals, 10 assists – one every 70 minutes).