Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City result - Erling Haaland scores stoppage-time penalty as visitors win thriller to keep Premier League title race alive

Manchester City came from behind in the final six minutes to beat Liverpool 2-1 with a stoppage-time winner and kept the Premier League title race alive.

The visitors dominated the first half at Anfield, where they hadn’t won in front of fans since 2003, but could not test Alisson in the Reds' goal.

Liverpool started the second period better, but it took a moment of magic to break the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining.

Dominik Szoboszlai lined up a free kick 30 yards out and laced it into the top corner, off the post, using world-class technique to swerve the ball away from a hapless Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City looked deflated, but got an equaliser out of nowhere when Erling Haaland flicked a header through to Bernardo Silva, who coolly slotted the ball through Alisson’s legs, having been played onside by Szoboszlai.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, City won a penalty when Alisson needlessly took out Matheus Nunes as the midfielder chased a long ball over the top.

Haaland stepped up, and put the spot kick beyond the diving Alisson for his first goal at Anfield.

The hosts threw everything at an equaliser with seven minutes added on by the referee, and came close when Alexis Mac Allister’s deflected volley appeared destined for the top corner until Donnarumma clawed it away.

Yet there was more drama to come. Having sent everyone up - including the goalkeeper - for a corner, Liverpool found themselves completely exposed to the counterattack and Rayan Cherki rolled the ball into an empty net from the halfway line as Szoboszlai and Haaland tussled in giving chase.

However, the wild celebrations on the City bench were cut short as, after a VAR review, referee Craig Pawson ruled out the goal, having adjudged Szoboszlai had pulled Haaland back and, as the last man, the Hungary international was duly red carded, with City awarded and indirect free-kick.

Despite the late drama, City still left Anfield with the win to keep the gap to pacesetters Arsenal at six points, with a favourable run of fixtures coming up before their crunch meeting in April.

Liverpool stay sixth, now four points behind Chelsea in fifth, which is likely to be enough for a Champions League spot.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "A lot has happened, which is normal in this fixture. For us we are disappointed to come away without a result.

"We went 1-0 up and hardly gave anything away. Just before the end, one deflected cross falls good for them and It's 1-1. We tried to prevent and they won the first header. Good anticipation from Bernardo [Silva] and good finish.

"We are getting almost used to conceding a goal in extra time, it happened again today."

On Szoboszlai's red card: "That is not the incident we should talk about. Maybe he should have left it for a goal as it is, but if that is the rule that is what we have to accept.

"If there is any incident we should talk about, it's when Mo Salah is one on one with the goalkeeper. Anyone who has been to this stadium in the last seven or eight years, that is a goal for Salah.

"Once again, the referee decides not in our favour. They have to do their job."

Can you look at this game positively?: "Of course. Second half we pressed really high and played good football.

"You cannot compare this game with three or four months ago, we have improved so much - but we need to improve the results.

"So many times this year we haven't got what I think we deserve and this is another time."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a brilliant advert for the Premier League. First half was really good and we lost a bit of momentum in the second half. Anfield can feel like that.

"After that, we played more direct and after that we lost the ball and we were so passive. What a strike from Szoboszlai and after that, led by our captain Bernardo, we come back.
"The spirit has been there and in general the first half was really good and second half a bit of fatigue. Omar and Erling were passive and that's why we struggled."
On Bernardo Silva: "He is one of the best players I have ever trained with. He is the perfect captain. It is a joy for me as a manager to have him. The team comes first. His contribution is massive and he is one of the legends of this club."
On the dramatic ending of the match: "Come on referee, give goal and go home!"

Man City striker Erling Haaland told Sky Sports, on his winning penalty: "I was really nervous right before, and all my thoughts were about putting it into the back of the net, which I couldn't do in the home game for the penalty.

"So I've been practicing, and now I've been able to do it; it's an incredible feeling. It was also an incredible feeling when Bernardo [Silva] scored. I was hoping I could celebrate a little bit more, but he wanted another goal, which I love, so in the end it's an incredible feeling.

"If you look at Gigi [Donnarumma] and the last save he does, it's absolutely incredible. Mac Allister's shooting is out of this world, so it showed why he is the best in the world."

"This place is so tough to come to, and I think we started really well in the game, and we managed to stay with it and never give up. Bernardo gave everyone a lift to believe we could do it, and we now need to start winning games; it's as simple as that."

On the foul committed on him by Dominik Szoboszlai: "Of course, the referee has to follow the rules but this decision will give Szoboszlai a three-game ban [only a one-match ban], so I feel bad for him.

I just think don't give the red card, give the goal, but it's the rules. This is just how it is. Rayan Cherki passed me the ball so I could score but he didn't want me to! That's just how it is."

On Szoboszlai talking to him before the penalty: "It was the first time I didn't want to speak to Szoboszlai. I just wanted him to go away so I could focus on scoring the penalty."

Player of the match Bernardo Silva, speaking to Sky Sports: "For the distance that we have to Arsenal, coming here it is the toughest place in the Premier League by far but we needed to go for another goal.

"When I scored, I was happy but we needed another and Erling got it.

"It has been frustrating the beginning of the year because we have not done our job properly. We could be closer to Arsenal. For me, you must imagine how tough it is to win here but I am really happy.

"I feel the whole team knew before the game if we lost it then the title race was probably over. We felt like we needed to win. The hope is there and we are going to fight until the end. We need to keep doing our job that we haven't lately."

Anyone still got Haaland as captain on FPL? A goal and assist isn't too bad for tactical geniuses like myself (who also have Brennan Johnson).

But that goal was important, as he has now scored at every Premier League ground he's played at multiple times.

Okay, let's start with injury time. There were seven minutes added on, but we actually got 14 minutes of action.

Right at the start, Alisson took out Nunes after a ball over the top. Clear penalty which Haaland scored to give City the lead.

As expected, Liverpool threw the kitchen sink at City. Mac Allister hit a sublime volley but Donnarumma produced a fantastic save to keep City ahead.

From the resultant corner, there was chaos. The ball was bouncing around the box, including Liverpool players going down and as VAR checked it, City countered (see 18:36 post for the rest).

Here are the stats if you are interested but that doesn't even begin to explain this game.

That VAR check did actually matter for Liverpool as they stay sixth on goals scored, ahead of Brentford who could have leapfrogged them.

However, losing Szoboszlai, by far their best player this season, for three matches will hurt them, especially since they have no fit right backs other than Calvin Ramsay.

The Reds are four points off Chelsea and five behind United. There is so much to unpack here. We will be dissecting the last half hour here for you though.

So let's look at the title race now. City cut the gap back to six points AND Arsenal still need to go to the Etihad on April 18, pending changes.

Before that match, Arsenal still need to play the likes of Spurs, Chelsea, Brighton and Everton. City have tough tests against Newcastle, Leeds and Chelsea but by far the easier run up until that fixture.

Strap yourselves in, this is going to be a thriller of a title race.

Okay let's just pick apart what happened at the end there.

Liverpool won a corner so sent everyone up, including Alisson. City broke and Cherki's shot was going goalwards as Haaland and Szoboszlai gave chase.

Szobozlai tugged Haaland, then Haaland tugged Szoboszlai and brought them both down, the ball going into the net as a result to make it 3-1 to City.

However, because Haaland fouled Szoboszlai, the goal couldn't stand. Because Szoboszlai had previously fouled Haaland, he had denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity, and so was sent off too.

I am not allowed to describe what I think of this goal because I don't think I can without swearing. The game is so gone.

I cannot figure out why they don't just give the goal and play the advantage?

City have a free kick with 15 seconds left. Cherki puts it over and that will be that.

This might be chalked off. They have both fouled eachother here, but Szoboszlai is the first to do so.

This goal is going to get ruled out, but it's disastrous for Liverpool because Szoboszlai is going to get sent off!

City take advantage of the empty net! Cherki's pass/shot is trickling slowly towards the goal as Haaland and Szoboszlai give chase.

Those two are tugging eachother's shirt and they both go down, so the ball just rolls in!

Now Ait Nouri counters. He's in on goal and shoots from a tight angle, but that is a fantastic save from Alisson. Wirtz then wins a free kick just inside the City half.

City clear. Gravenberch recycles. City clear again.

Alisson now takes a throw in inside City's half. Mac Allister volleys from the edge of the box, which takes a deflection towards the top corner which Donnarumma just claws away!

Alisson is up for the corner. There's all sorts going on in the box and there's another VAR check.

It has been 89 years since City last did the league double over Liverpool. The stats are astonishing, just like this match.

They have come off the canvas to fight back and keep this title race alive. Unbelievable.

City have not won in front of a crowd at Anfield since 2003. Haaland has never scored at Anfield. He has now, and got a booking for his celebrations.

Chiesa is on for Kerkez. What a moment in the title race.

Haaland goes left, and Alisson guesses right but it's too far in the corner!

It was a ball over the top. Nunes wasn't going to keep it in but Alisson came flying out anyway and made contact. Definite penalty and an uncharacteristic error.

There's a bit of a delay as Nunes needs treatment. Haaland will take.