Liverpool v Man City live drama: Anfield chaos, Haaland denied, title race erupts
08.02.2026 - 23:02:17
Liverpool 2-1 Manchester City – Salah steps up, Haaland shut out
This was pure, high-speed chaos from the first whistle. Liverpool struck first to ignite Anfield. After a slick move down the right, Mohamed Salah drifted inside, linked with Dominik Szoboszlai, and when the loose ball broke in the box, Darwin Núñez pounced and smashed home the opener. Núñez gets the goal, but Salah was the brains behind the move – his movement kept Citys back line on strings.
City, though, always punch back. Just before half-time, Kevin De Bruyne reminded everyone why hes still one of the best playmakers on the planet. He picked up a pocket of space, slipped a filthy reverse pass into the area, and Phil Foden finished low into the far corner. Liverpools defenders were screaming for offside, but VAR checked it and the goal stood: 1-1, pure tension.
The second half turned into a battle of the stars. Everyone wanted to know: would Erling Haaland be the hero again? Liverpools centre-backs decided the answer was no. Haaland had one massive chance – a De Bruyne cross, a trademark late run – but his header was brilliantly clawed away by Alisson. Apart from that, he was crowded, bullied, and frustrated. On this day, Haaland was more human than monster.
At the other end, Salah became the difference-maker. On 72 minutes, he ghosted between Citys lines, collected a pass from Curtis Jones, and drove into the box. RĂşben Dias stepped across, Salah went down, and Anfield exploded as the referee pointed to the spot. VAR spent an age checking the contact, but the decision stood. Salah grabbed the ball, stared down Ederson, and drilled the penalty into the bottom corner for 2-1. Ice in his veins; you could feel the roar through the TV.
City threw everything at it late on. De Bruyne hit a wicked free-kick just over. Foden curled narrowly wide. The craziest moment came in stoppage time when City thought they had stolen a point: a loose ball dropped, Bernardo Silva bundled it in, and the away fans went wild – until VAR stepped in again. The replays showed Haaland tugging on Virgil van Dijks shirt in the build-up. Goal ruled out. Anfield bouncing. City fuming. That VAR call is the hot topic across social media right now.
Stars checked: heroes and flops
- Mohamed Salah: One assist in open play, the winning penalty, and constant danger. He owned the right flank and totally deserved man of the match.
- Darwin Núñez: Scored the opener, ran himself into the ground, still a little chaotic, but this time the chaos paid off.
- Erling Haaland: For once, a quiet day. No goals, one big chance saved, and that late foul in the VAR drama. On a night of big reputations, he came up short.
- Kevin De Bruyne: One gorgeous assist, constant creativity. You cant blame him for the result – he did his job.
- Virgil van Dijk: Colossus. Won duels with Haaland, cleared everything, and drew the key foul that killed Citys late equaliser.
Football results today – title race shaken up
Elsewhere in the Premier League, the Football results today kept the title race absolutely electric. Arsenal got the job done with a professional win, with Bukayo Saka on the scoresheet again, while another top-four rival slipped and dropped points in a tight away draw where they just couldnt finish their chances.
The result at Anfield, though, is the one that really tilts the balance. Liverpools win over Manchester City doesnt just give them three points; it tilts momentum, belief, and pressure all at once. City suddenly look a touch vulnerable, while Liverpool and Arsenal can sniff opportunity.
What does this mean for the title race? Liverpool move up and crank the pressure on City, who now have almost no margin for error. Arsenal stay firmly in the mix, and the gap between the top three and the chasing pack looks more brutal than ever. Want to see exactly how tight it is?
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Champions League storylines lurking in the background
With Champions League news just around the corner again, this game felt like a European preview. Liverpools intensity looked tailor-made for knockout football, while Citys reliance on De Bruyne to unlock things became very obvious when Haaland was locked down. If this is the level were getting now, imagine what happens when these teams hit the Champions League stages at full tilt.
Top scorers today in the major European clashes featured the usual suspects: wide forwards cutting in, No. 10s arriving late, and full-backs ghosting into the box. But in the marquee showdown, the headline is simple: Salah delivered, Haaland didnt. Thats going to fuel a week of soccer news takes on both sides of the rivalry.
Social Media Spotlight
The Internet is Exploding: 3 Social Media Highlights
X Discussion: Fans raging and debating that late VAR call on Haalands foul
Reporters Take – brutal truth time
Lets be honest: City can complain about the VAR call all they want, but if you live by physical battles, sometimes you die by the whistle. Haalands tug on van Dijk wasnt the most violent foul youll ever see, but in this era of slow-motion replays and micro-analyzed contact, its the kind of thing you just cant risk in the box with seconds left.
From a pure footballing point of view, Liverpool deserved this. They were braver, more direct, and showed more edge in both boxes. Salah looked like a player who refuses to let his team fade from the title picture, and Núñez gave City nightmares all night with his relentless runs. City still look classy, but a little too reliant on moments from De Bruyne and Foden. If they dont find a second gear soon, the title might sprint away from them.
In my opinion, this was a statement win for Liverpool and a wake-up punch for City. You dont rip the crown off Pep Guardiolas team with talk; you do it with 90 minutes like this – where you go toe-to-toe, win duels, and take your moments. If this level keeps up, the rest of the season is going to be absolutely wild.
Final Whistle – Whats next?
The football league table is now must-see viewing. Every game from here on out feels like a mini-final for the contenders, and todays result has cranked the tension to the max. Between Liverpools surge, Citys frustration, and Arsenal quietly staying on the rails, the Premier League is serving pure drama.
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@ ad-hoc-news.de
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