Liverpool vs Man City live chaos: Salah, De Bruyne & a wild title twist
10.02.2026 - 05:27:48
Kick-off! As of today, 2026-02-10, the pitch is on fire... You wanted crazy soccer games, you got one. Anfield just served up a thunderstorm as Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-2 in a Premier League live classic that flipped the title race and set social media on absolute overdrive.
From Mohamed Salah's icy finish to Erling Haaland's frustrated glare at the referee, this one had everything: screamers, a VAR rollercoaster, and a finale that felt more like a Champions League night than a regular league fixture.
But you can never switch off against Pep Guardiola's machine. On 29 minutes, Kevin De Bruyne reminded everyone why he's still one of the deadliest passers on the planet. He drifted into that half-space on the right, curled in a wicked ball, and Erling Haaland bullied both centre-backs to power a header past Alisson for 1-1. Classic City: one moment of quality, game flipped.
Then came the first big flashpoint. On 41 minutes, Núñez burst into the box again and went down under a tangle with John Stones. Referee pointed to the spot; City players went nuts. VAR check dragged on forever, angles from every possible camera, and in the end the penalty stood. Salah stepped up, stared down Ederson, waited for the tiny movement, and slotted bottom right for 2-1. Anfield roaring, Haaland shouting at the fourth official, Guardiola sarcastically clapping on the touchline – pure drama.
But this Liverpool side just refused to die. Jürgen Klopp – screaming, waving, living every second – threw on fresh legs and the game turned into end-to-end chaos. Haaland had one huge chance on 74 minutes, muscling his way through and going one-on-one with Alisson, but his low effort was brilliantly saved by the Brazilian's outstretched leg. Haaland slapped the post in frustration; you could feel the tension from the away end.
Then, the killer blow. Minute 88. Anfield holding its breath. A corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold caused havoc, the ball bobbled around the six-yard box, and Virgil van Dijk rose above everyone to thunder a header in off the bar. 3-2 Liverpool, van Dijk the giant again, Klopp sprinting down the touchline like it was a Champions League semi-final. City players surrounded the ref shouting for an earlier foul on Haaland in the build-up, but VAR checked it and gave the all-clear. Cue meltdown online.
Virgil van Dijk deserves just as much love. He dominated in the air, made two huge blocks on Haaland inside the box, and then popped up with the match-winning header. That's what you call captain's mentality.
For City, Kevin De Bruyne was their heartbeat. A superb assist for Haaland, always demanding the ball, trying to unlock Liverpool with those signature whipped crosses. Phil Foden delivered a worldie of a goal and was dangerous every time he cut inside.
Erling Haaland, though, will wake up furious. Yes, he scored – that trademark header – but he also missed a massive chance at 2-2 and spent half the second half arguing with the ref instead of burying Liverpool. For a player of his standards, this one will feel like a flop, especially with van Dijk winning so many of their duels.
Liverpool's three points here don't just give them bragging rights – they completely reshape the title radar. City now have to chase, and with tough fixtures coming thick and fast plus Champions League news around the corner, Pep has zero margin for error.
Scroll X and you'll see split screens of the supposed foul, slowed down to 0.25x speed like it's a courtroom drama. On Instagram, Liverpool's official account is already spamming victory pics, Salah smiling with the Man of the Match award, and van Dijk with that "captain of chaos" energy in the dressing room. Meanwhile, highlight reels are dropping fast on YouTube – cut-ups of Salah's composure, Foden's screamer, and that gigantic van Dijk header.
For City, you can't just blame VAR or one missed chance. When Haaland doesn't totally dominate, they suddenly look vulnerable. De Bruyne can't carry the creative load on his own every single time; others have to step up in these high-pressure soccer games.
If this is what February looks like, imagine what May is going to be. Title races are built on nights like this – and losing a thriller like that could haunt City if they fall just short at the end.
Either way, tonight felt like a turning point. Title dreams, top scorers today, Champions League ambitions – everything is colliding in one wild run-in. Don't blink.
From Mohamed Salah's icy finish to Erling Haaland's frustrated glare at the referee, this one had everything: screamers, a VAR rollercoaster, and a finale that felt more like a Champions League night than a regular league fixture.
Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City – Salah cool, Haaland heated
This was one of those soccer games where you barely had time to breathe. Liverpool came flying out of the blocks, and it took just 14 minutes for Anfield to explode. Darwin Núñez bullied his way past Rúben Dias down the left, drilled a low cross, and Mohamed Salah – of course it was him – arrived at the near post to flick home the opener. 1-0 Liverpool, Salah on the scoresheet, and City looked rattled.But you can never switch off against Pep Guardiola's machine. On 29 minutes, Kevin De Bruyne reminded everyone why he's still one of the deadliest passers on the planet. He drifted into that half-space on the right, curled in a wicked ball, and Erling Haaland bullied both centre-backs to power a header past Alisson for 1-1. Classic City: one moment of quality, game flipped.
Then came the first big flashpoint. On 41 minutes, Núñez burst into the box again and went down under a tangle with John Stones. Referee pointed to the spot; City players went nuts. VAR check dragged on forever, angles from every possible camera, and in the end the penalty stood. Salah stepped up, stared down Ederson, waited for the tiny movement, and slotted bottom right for 2-1. Anfield roaring, Haaland shouting at the fourth official, Guardiola sarcastically clapping on the touchline – pure drama.
Second-half madness: wonder goal, late winner
City came out for the second half like a different team. De Bruyne started finding pockets, Bernardo Silva kept drifting inside, and Liverpool began to sit deeper. On 63 minutes, we got a contender for goal of the season. A loose clearance fell to Phil Foden about 25 yards out, he took one touch out of his feet and absolutely rifled a left-foot rocket into the top corner. Alisson didn't even move. 2-2, pure filth from Foden, and suddenly it felt like City might roll over Liverpool again.But this Liverpool side just refused to die. Jürgen Klopp – screaming, waving, living every second – threw on fresh legs and the game turned into end-to-end chaos. Haaland had one huge chance on 74 minutes, muscling his way through and going one-on-one with Alisson, but his low effort was brilliantly saved by the Brazilian's outstretched leg. Haaland slapped the post in frustration; you could feel the tension from the away end.
Then, the killer blow. Minute 88. Anfield holding its breath. A corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold caused havoc, the ball bobbled around the six-yard box, and Virgil van Dijk rose above everyone to thunder a header in off the bar. 3-2 Liverpool, van Dijk the giant again, Klopp sprinting down the touchline like it was a Champions League semi-final. City players surrounded the ref shouting for an earlier foul on Haaland in the build-up, but VAR checked it and gave the all-clear. Cue meltdown online.
Heroes & flops: Salah shines, Haaland rages, De Bruyne classy
Mohamed Salah was Liverpool's main man yet again: two goals, constant movement, dragging City's back line all over the place. His penalty was ice-cold, and his link-up with Núñez kept creating chaos. In the big Premier League nights, Salah just turns into a different animal.Virgil van Dijk deserves just as much love. He dominated in the air, made two huge blocks on Haaland inside the box, and then popped up with the match-winning header. That's what you call captain's mentality.
For City, Kevin De Bruyne was their heartbeat. A superb assist for Haaland, always demanding the ball, trying to unlock Liverpool with those signature whipped crosses. Phil Foden delivered a worldie of a goal and was dangerous every time he cut inside.
Erling Haaland, though, will wake up furious. Yes, he scored – that trademark header – but he also missed a massive chance at 2-2 and spent half the second half arguing with the ref instead of burying Liverpool. For a player of his standards, this one will feel like a flop, especially with van Dijk winning so many of their duels.
Title race twist – where does this leave the league?
This result blows the top of the football league table wide open. Liverpool leapfrog City and crank up the pressure on everyone chasing them. City suddenly look human again in a season where every dropped point feels like a disaster.Liverpool's three points here don't just give them bragging rights – they completely reshape the title radar. City now have to chase, and with tough fixtures coming thick and fast plus Champions League news around the corner, Pep has zero margin for error.
What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings
Social Media Spotlight: Salah, VAR and pure chaos
The online reaction? Utter madness. The big talking point is that late Liverpool winner and whether there was a foul on Haaland in the build-up. Some say soft, some say never a foul, but everyone's shouting about it.The Internet is Exploding: 3 Social Media Highlights
X Discussion: Fans losing it over that late VAR check on Van Dijk's winner
Reporter's take: this felt like a statement
From my point of view, this wasn't just another big-game win for Liverpool – it was a full-blown statement. City had their spells, yes, but Liverpool looked hungrier, nastier, more desperate to win every second ball. Salah played like a superstar who refuses to fade, van Dijk rolled back the years, and Klopp's touchline energy fed straight into the crowd.For City, you can't just blame VAR or one missed chance. When Haaland doesn't totally dominate, they suddenly look vulnerable. De Bruyne can't carry the creative load on his own every single time; others have to step up in these high-pressure soccer games.
If this is what February looks like, imagine what May is going to be. Title races are built on nights like this – and losing a thriller like that could haunt City if they fall just short at the end.
What's next?
The schedule is about to go insane: more Premier League live drama every weekend, European midweeks, and players hitting that stage of the season where legs get heavy and minds get tired. If Liverpool can keep this tempo and keep Salah fit, they're absolutely in the mix. If City want to bounce back, Haaland has to turn this frustration into goals – quickly.Either way, tonight felt like a turning point. Title dreams, top scorers today, Champions League ambitions – everything is colliding in one wild run-in. Don't blink.
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