Erling Haaland's late penalty clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory for Manchester City against Liverpool, reducing Arsenal's Premier League lead to six points. Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick had put the hosts ahead, but Bernardo Silva equalized before Haaland struck in stoppage time. Szoboszlai was sent off late as City completed a league double over Liverpool for the first time since 1937.
Manchester City staged an incredible late comeback to defeat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield on February 8, 2026, keeping their Premier League title hopes alive. The match, a classic rivalry encounter, saw City trail until the final stages before resilience and key moments turned the tide.
Liverpool started strongly in the second half after a cautious first period where neither side created clear chances. Erling Haaland had an early shot saved by Alisson Becker, but the game remained goalless at halftime. Arne Slot's side gained momentum post-break, with Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah going close. The breakthrough came in the 74th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai curled a magnificent free-kick into the top corner, leaving City's Gianluigi Donnarumma with no chance.
City, however, refused to yield. In the 84th minute, Bernardo Silva volleyed home Haaland's cushioned header to level the score, exposing Liverpool's defense. The decisive moment arrived in the third minute of stoppage time: Alisson fouled Matheus Nunes in the box, and Haaland calmly converted the penalty for his first Premier League goal at Anfield. Szoboszlai, who had played Silva onside for the equalizer, was then red-carded for pulling back Haaland during a late Liverpool push. Rayan Cherki's long-range effort was disallowed for a foul in the chaotic finish.
Post-match, Slot lamented the outcome: "Another great Liverpool-Man City game... It is a very disappointing outcome." Guardiola praised his team's spirit: "I am really proud we won... At the end, belief from our captain; his character, personality, not giving up."
This result moves City to second, six points behind Arsenal, while Liverpool stay sixth, five points off fourth-placed Manchester United. Notably, City achieved their first league double over Liverpool since 1936/37, and Liverpool have now conceded four 90th-minute winners this season—the joint-most in a single Premier League campaign.
