Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City: Josep Guardiola’s side come from behind to claim an important and rare victory at Anfield to remain in the Premier League title race.
Pep Guardiola puts an end to disastrous defeat at Anfield (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Erling Haaland took off his shirt, ran up to the away supporters and slammed a message of defiance into the air.
This was an incredible fight back from Manchester City and made it very clear that they intend to fight Arsenal every step of the way for the Premier League title. With six minutes remaining at Anfield, City were headed for a nine-point defeat.
But Mikel Arteta will once again be looking nervously over his shoulder as Josep Guardiola’s warriors dig deep to stage the incredible comeback that stunned Liverpool.
In reality, City should have won 3-1, but officials between the two sides actually caused a moment of madness in which Dominik Szobozlai was sent off to prevent Haaland from scoring another goal. Well, these matches are rarely boring, adding drama and storylines that only succeed in reinforcing the belief that City can still catch up with Arsenal.
Liverpool fans, by contrast, queued up at the final whistle after hearing a few boos. This was probably more out of frustration than performance interference. No wonder Arne Slott looked furious. That’s because his fading champions are five points clear of the top four and their place in next season’s Champions League is in real jeopardy.
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read more: Erling Haaland’s deadly strike as Man City stunned Liverpool in the second half – 5 talking pointsread more: Liverpool vs Man City ends in chaos as Dominik Szoboszlai is sent off due to VAR
Liverpool manager Slott will know he has a tough job ahead of him to save their season from collapse as their confidence and defense look very vulnerable. The away side were in high spirits, and as Guardiola and his players made their way to the visiting fans, the fans roared with joy, with Haaland leading the chorus of joy.
We write City and Guardiola off at our peril, but it’s equally telling that even when they seemed to be done and dusted, they just found a way to get it back.
This is far from a typical Guardiola team, but they showed at Anfield that they still retain the title-winning mentality and spirit that has distinguished them for so long. It was a pretty average first half, lacking in action or drama. City are the better team and Marc Guehy’s signing looks great, but they haven’t produced much. So was Liverpool.
Erling Haaland’s penalty was Manchester City’s winning goal (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
However, the second half was a different story. Liverpool were much better as Hugo Ekitike twice came close to scoring. Liverpool then took the lead. City conceded another unsightly foul, and Szobozlai stole the ball and took a free-kick from 25 yards out.
Szobozlai strode up and took an unstoppable free-kick, which deflected into the inside of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s left-hand post. It was a carbon copy of the winning free-kick goal against Arsenal in August.
Anfield erupted with a sense of victory. But City weren’t done yet. Rayan Cherki whipped in a cross, Haaland flicked on and their great mentor and follower Bernardo Silva slotted home from close range.
Dominik Szoboszlai is sent off for a foul on Erling Haaland (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Then more drama. Matheus Nunez ran through and Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker darted out to tip the City full-back over. Although this was a penalty, Haaland scored in front of goal and ran through to celebrate in front of the away end. City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a great save to deny Alexis Mac Allister’s deflected shot. More drama then ensued when Liverpool threw the kitchen sink at City.
Alisson was caught wide of goal, City cleared and Cherki slotted the ball forward. Haaland got the better of Szobozlai, who pulled the City striker back but was unable to prevent him from coming on.
Rather than just awarding a goal, referee Craig Pawson, on advice from the VAR center clown, pulled play back, giving Szobozlai a red card and awarding City a free-kick, which was wasted.
I don’t care. City won anyway.
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