Manchester City Secures Dramatic Anfield Comeback, Reigniting Title Race

MANCHESTER (Azat TV) – Manchester City mounted a dramatic late comeback at Anfield on Sunday, defeating rivals Liverpool 2-1 in a thrilling Premier League encounter that significantly reshapes the title race and keeps Pep Guardiola’s side firmly in contention. The visitors overturned a one-goal deficit in the final minutes, with Erling Braut Haaland sealing the victory from the penalty spot in stoppage time, pushing City to within six points of league leaders Arsenal.

The highly anticipated clash, held on February 8, 2026, delivered on its promise of high drama, particularly in a chaotic second half that saw three goals, a red card, and a disallowed goal in the final moments. The result is a crucial boost for Manchester City’s aspirations, allowing them to close the gap on Arsenal, who currently sit atop the Premier League table with 56 points from 25 games, compared to City’s 50.

Late Drama Unfolds at Anfield

The match remained goalless through a tense first half, with both sides creating opportunities but failing to convert. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson made a crucial early save, while City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma also proved pivotal later in the game. The deadlock was finally broken in the 74th minute when Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed an outrageous strike from 30 yards out, curling the ball around City’s defensive wall and off the inside of the post to put the Reds ahead. The goal, described by some as reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s best free-kicks, left Donnarumma with no chance.

Liverpool’s lead, however, was short-lived. Manchester City equalized in the 84th minute through Bernardo Silva, who capitalized on a hopeful cross from Rayan Cherki, breaking the offside trap to poke a finish past Alisson. The equalizer injected new life into City, who had struggled to find their rhythm in the second half.

The true turning point arrived in stoppage time. In the 91st minute, Matheus Nunes raced through on goal and was brought down by Alisson inside the box, leading referee Craig Pawson to award a penalty to Manchester City. Erling Braut Haaland stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot-kick to Alisson’s right, securing a dramatic 2-1 lead for City in the 93rd minute. Haaland was subsequently booked for removing his shirt in celebration, highlighting the intensity of the moment.

Controversial Decisions Mar Chaotic Finish

The final minutes of the match descended into further controversy and chaos. In the 98th minute, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister unleashed a dipping drive from 30 yards that was remarkably tipped over the bar by Donnarumma, denying Liverpool a late equalizer. With Liverpool throwing bodies forward, including Alisson, City broke away, and Erling Haaland appeared to tap the ball into an empty net after being pulled back by Dominik Szoboszlai. However, after an initial goal confirmation, VAR intervened. The referee ultimately disallowed the goal, awarding a free-kick to City for Szoboszlai’s initial foul on Haaland.

Adding to Liverpool’s woes, Szoboszlai was shown a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity, a decision that sparked considerable debate among fans and pundits, as reported by The Guardian. Supporters were divided, with some arguing it was a clear red, while others questioned the application of rules in such a convoluted sequence of events. Despite the controversy, the final whistle blew shortly after, confirming Manchester City’s hard-fought victory.

Title Race Implications for Manchester City

The win at Anfield is a massive psychological boost for Manchester City, keeping their Premier League title defense firmly on track. Manager Pep Guardiola, visibly exhausted by the match’s intensity, expressed pride in his team’s resilience. Bernardo Silva, City’s equalizer scorer, told Sky Sports that the team felt they ‘needed to win’ to keep their title hopes alive, acknowledging the difficulty of securing points at Anfield. He also noted the team’s frustration with their start to the year, stating, ‘We could be closer to Arsenal.’

For Liverpool, the defeat is a significant blow to their championship ambitions, dropping them to sixth place in the table, 17 points behind Arsenal. The loss of Szoboszlai to a red card also means he will miss upcoming crucial fixtures, further complicating manager Arne Slot’s plans. The dramatic nature of the victory highlights Manchester City’s enduring quality and mental fortitude, particularly when facing adversity in high-stakes matches.

This dramatic victory not only narrows the gap at the top of the Premier League but also serves as a potent statement of intent from Manchester City, demonstrating their ability to grind out results under immense pressure and keep the title race intensely competitive against current leaders Arsenal.