Manchester City reignited their Premier League title challenge with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Liverpool at Anfield, overturning a late deficit in a match packed with controversy, stunning goals, and chaotic stoppage-time drama.
The win cuts Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to six points, while Liverpool remain sixth, five points adrift of the top four.
Liverpool looked on course for a famous win after Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring in the 74th minute with a sensational, swerving free-kick that left the Anfield crowd in raptures.
The home side had largely kept City at arm’s length up to that point, with the first half ending goalless after a tense, tactical battle.
City, however, responded with urgency. Bernardo Silva equalised in the 84th minute, finishing calmly after being set up by Erling Haaland, to shift the momentum firmly in the visitors’ favour. As Liverpool began to wobble, the closing stages turned increasingly frantic.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when referee Craig Pawson awarded City a penalty after Alisson collided with Matheus Nunes inside the box.
Despite furious protests from the Liverpool players and supporters, Haaland stepped up and converted confidently in the 90th minute plus three, scoring his first-ever Premier League goal at Anfield and wheeling away to celebrate with the travelling fans.
Rayan Cherki appeared to score a bizarre third goal for City as the ball rolled into an unguarded net after a tangle between Haaland and Szoboszlai, but VAR intervened.
Instead of a goal standing, Szoboszlai was shown a red card for pulling Haaland’s shirt, and the strike was disallowed, prompting confusion and outrage inside the stadium.
Despite the turmoil, City held on to secure a statement victory that keeps their title hopes alive. For Liverpool, it was a bruising end to a thrilling contest, leaving them frustrated by late decisions and discipline, while City departed Anfield believing this could be a pivotal moment in the season.
