Manchester City overcame a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick to secure a 2-1 victory at Anfield, with Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland providing the decisive goals in a high-stakes title race clash.
Despite a historically difficult record at Anfield, Manchester City displayed immense resilience to overturn a second-half deficit.
The match was defined by momentum shifts: City dominated the opening period, while Liverpool capitalized on a dead-ball situation to take the lead.
However, the visitors’ persistence paid off as they breached the champions’ defense twice in the closing stages. The victory keeps City firmly in the hunt for the Premier League crown, trailing Arsenal by just six points.
Manchester City Player Ratings
Gianluigi Donnarumma – 8
The Italian shot-stopper was frequently targeted by Liverpool’s aggressive pressing when the ball was at his feet, and he faced a barrage of testing set-pieces. While he was powerless to stop Szoboszlai’s pinpoint strike, he remained focused throughout. His contribution was punctuated by a vital, high-stakes save in the dying moments to preserve City’s narrow lead.
Matheus Nunes – 7
Nunes provided a dynamic presence on the right, effectively transitioning play from the defensive third into attacking areas during the first half. He maintained a disciplined performance across the ninety minutes and demonstrated elite composure in the final minutes, successfully drawing the foul that resulted in the match-winning penalty.
Abdukodir Khusanov – 7
A standout performer in the heart of the defense, Khusanov appeared entirely unfazed by the Anfield atmosphere. He remained alert to Liverpool’s dangerous counter-attacking threats and displayed great composure on the ball. His excellent shift was unfortunately cut short after a collision forced his early substitution in the 61st minute.
Marc Guehi – 6
The center-back delivered an “outstanding” defensive masterclass. Guehi was consistently well-positioned to neutralize the threat of Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike. His highlight of the match was a desperate, goal-saving block to deny a goalbound effort from Florian Wirtz, anchoring the backline with authority.
Rayan Ait-Nouri – 7
The left-back steadily improved as the game progressed, eventually delivering one of his most influential performances in a City shirt. He was a constant “marauding” threat down the flank, frequently pushing forward to unsettle Szoboszlai and providing the width necessary to stretch the Liverpool defense.
Rodri – 6
While perhaps not yet reaching his absolute physical peak, Rodri’s influence remained significant. His exceptional passing range helped City dictate the tempo during their dominant spells. He showed signs of continuous improvement, acting as the vital link between the defense and the more advanced creators.
Bernardo Silva – 8
Silva was the engine of the midfield, “bossing the team” with his characteristic work rate and tactical intelligence. He linked seamlessly with Rodri and Nunes to control the center of the pitch. Although his set-piece delivery was uncharacteristically inconsistent, he popped up with a crucial, hard-earned equalizer to trigger the comeback.
Nico O’Reilly – 6
The youngster displayed remarkable energy and grit in a hostile environment. He held his own in a physical midfield battle against Ryan Gravenberch, providing City with a reliable outlet and consistent passing options deep into the game. His effort levels never dipped as the match reached its frantic conclusion.
Antoine Semenyo – 6
Semenyo found himself locked in a physical and persistent duel with his former teammate Milos Kerkez. While his work rate was undeniable, he struggled to find the “magic” or clinical edge required to bypass the Liverpool full-back, leading to a quieter afternoon than he would have liked.
Omar Marmoush – 6
His explosive pace was a constant source of anxiety for the Liverpool backline, and his direct running created several promising openings. However, he lacked the final clinical touch inside the penalty area to convert that threat into goals before being replaced after the hour mark.
Erling Haaland – 8
The Norwegian striker showed great mental strength after an uncharacteristic early miss. He was involved in a grueling physical battle with Virgil van Dijk throughout the match. His persistence was rewarded as he provided the knockdown assist for the equalizer and coolly dispatched the high-pressure winning penalty.