Erling Haaland’s late penalty secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Manchester City at Anfield, punishing a defensive lapse by Alisson Becker and leaving Liverpool six points adrift of the league leaders.
Manchester City reignited the Premier League title race with a stunning comeback victory against reigning champions Liverpool.
After a scoreless first half dominated by City’s pressure, the game exploded into life in the final twenty minutes.
Dominik Szoboszlai appeared to have won it for the hosts with a thunderous 76th-minute free-kick, but Bernardo Silva quickly equalized.
The drama peaked in stoppage time when a collision between Alisson and Omar Marmoush resulted in a penalty, converted by Erling Haaland, followed by a red card for Szoboszlai in a frantic finale.
Player Ratings and Analysis
Alisson Becker – 3
The Brazilian goalkeeper endured a nightmare conclusion to an otherwise steady game. While he could do little to prevent Silva’s close-range equalizer, his “moment of madness” in clattering Marmoush gifted City the winning penalty. His late foray upfield for a corner further destabilized the side, leading to the chaotic sequence that saw a third City goal ruled out and a teammate sent off.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Deployed as an auxiliary right-back, the Hungarian faced a difficult afternoon defensively but provided the game’s individual highlight with an “incredible free-kick.” His strike from distance momentarily sparked hopes of a crucial win. However, his day ended in disgrace as he received a straight red card for a tactical foul to prevent Rayan Cherki from scoring into an empty net.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Konate was the standout performer in the Reds’ backline, demonstrating sharp anticipation and physicality. He managed to “snuff out attacks” effectively for the majority of the match, proving to be the most reliable obstacle for City’s creative players until the defensive structure crumbled during the seven minutes of added time.
Virgil van Dijk – 5
It was a rare off-day for the captain, who seemed uncharacteristically vulnerable in physical duels. He was occasionally “outmuscled by Haaland” and struggled to dominate the aerial battles as he usually does. His distribution was also unrefined, frequently opting for long balls that failed to find their intended targets.
Milos Kerkez – 7
The left-back provided a balanced performance, proving vital at both ends of the pitch. He recorded a “crucial clearance” in the opening minutes to deny Haaland and remained disciplined against City’s overlapping runners. His willingness to join the attack offered Liverpool a necessary outlet during their stronger periods in the second half.
Ryan Gravenberch – 4
The midfielder struggled to impose himself on the contest, appearing overwhelmed by City’s technical superiority in the center of the park. He failed to provide adequate screening for the defensive line and was largely bypassed. It was a “tame display” from a player who never quite found the rhythm of the game.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5
Mac Allister showed flashes of his vision, including a “pinpoint pass” that created a scoring opportunity for Mohamed Salah, but he was unable to exert sustained control. He spent much of the match chasing shadows as City’s midfield trio circulated the ball, leaving him unable to get “into the thick of the action.”
Florian Wirtz – 6
After a quiet first half where he was starved of service, Wirtz began to show his quality as the game opened up. He threaded several “brilliant through balls” that tested the City high line, though he lacked the support to turn these creative moments into clear-cut goals before being substituted.
Mohamed Salah – 4
The Egyptian forward was largely neutralized by City’s defensive organization. Despite having a few half-chances, he looked “toothless in attack” and lacked the clinical edge that defined his previous campaigns. His inability to find a way past the defenders left Liverpool’s frontline feeling disjointed for long stretches.
Cody Gakpo – 5
Gakpo worked hard but lacked the decisive spark required for a game of this magnitude. While he “showed glimpses of quality” on the turn, he appeared overly cautious and “too reluctant to use his left foot,” which made his movements predictable for the Manchester City defenders.
Hugo Ekitike – 6
The young forward was an energetic presence and caused problems with his intelligent movement. However, he will regret “missing a free header from close range” that could have changed the complexion of the game early in the second half. Despite his liveliness, he lacked the finishing touch required today.