Man City’s comeback thriller vs. Liverpool keeps Premier League title race alive

LIVERPOOL, England — Erling Haaland kept Manchester City’s hopes alive in the Premier League title chase on Sunday, scoring a penalty in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free kick in the 74th minute appeared to put Liverpool on track for a win, enhancing the reigning champions’ chances for a top-four finish. yet, Haaland shifted the momentum by assisting Bernardo Silva’s equalizer before clinching the game with a penalty.

Moments later, Man City thought they had a third goal when Rayan Cherki scored from inside his own half into an empty net, but it was disallowed after VAR review, which led to Szoboszlai’s sending off for denying Haaland a clear goalscoring opportunity.

With this outcome, Man City has narrowed the gap at the top to six points behind Arsenal, while Liverpool falls below the Champions League qualification spots. — Mark Ogden

Man City Is Still a Contender

Manchester City’s title ambitions appeared dim after Szoboszlai’s remarkable free-kick opener, which could have left Pep Guardiola’s side nine points adrift of Arsenal, should Liverpool have held onto their lead.

even with a lackluster performance, City persevered in the final minutes to secure a vital win with goals from Silva and Haaland.

The victory was crucial for City, not only for the points but for the confidence it instills in Guardiola’s squad, as well as the psychological impact on Arsenal.

Arsenal still needs to play at the Etihad this season, and if they cannot distance themselves from City, memories from past campaigns, where Guardiola’s team overtook them in the final stretch, will linger.

This may not be a classic City side, but with Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess and the talent of Silva, they remain a title threat. Their experience in winning titles could prove pivotal as they chase Arsenal.

Winning at Anfield is always significant for any team, and this will weigh heavily for City. They demonstrated their ability to triumph against a major rival even without playing at their best. It’s the kind of result that could instill fear in Arsenal. — Ogden

Liverpool’s Champions League Aspirations Diminish

The scenes at full-time at Anfield were telling. As Liverpool fans exited, Manchester City supporters celebrated exuberantly. For many, it was their first experience witnessing Guardiola’s side win at Anfield, with the prior victory dating back to 2003.

For Liverpool manager Arne Slot, this is another unwelcome chapter in an increasingly challenging season for the Premier League champions. Leading 1-0, Liverpool showcased the form that propelled them to last season’s title, but once Silva equalized in the 84th minute, the home crowd sensed a looming shift.

Haaland’s penalty in the 93rd minute marked the sixth goal Liverpool has conceded after the 90th minute in the league this season, with all of these occurring in one-goal defeats or draws. Once adept at securing late wins early in the season, Liverpool has transformed into a team that struggles under late-game pressure.

With a five-point gap to fourth-place Manchester United, this is a trend they must reverse quickly; otherwise, Champions League qualification may slip out of their reach. — Beth Lindop

Even on Off Days, Haaland Makes an Impact

Haaland underscored why he is considered the most lethal forward in football, clinching City’s victory after a largely unremarkable performance at Anfield.

Entering the match with only one goal from his last seven league appearances, Haaland seemed disinterested and out of sync for major portions of the game.

Yet, the reason he is invaluable for City is his potential to change the outcome of significant matches. He remained quiet until the 84th minute, when he set up Silva’s goal to level the match.

Minutes later, Haaland converted a penalty after Alisson fouled Nico O’Reilly. In a high-pressure moment crucial to the title race, Haaland demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the win, marking his first league goal at Anfield. — Ogden

Declines of Salah and Alisson Highlight Liverpool’s Transition

When considering the players foundational to Liverpool’s success over the last decade, Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker stand out uniquely.

Both stars’ exceptional performances have fueled numerous victories over Manchester City in recent years, yet their declining forms were evident on Sunday.

Salah’s history against City is remarkable; before Sunday, he had either scored or assisted on 15 of Liverpool’s previous 20 Premier League goals against Guardiola’s squad.

even if he came close to assisting Hugo Ekitike in the second half, it’s undeniable that his influence is waning. The same goes for Alisson, who unnecessarily fouled Matheus Nunes in the box, giving City the late penalty opportunity.

While both remain integral to Liverpool this season and possibly next, they serve as reminders that Slot’s team is still undergoing a transition, as the stars from Jurgen Klopp’s era begin to lose their shine. — Lindop

Szoboszlai’s Red Card Priced Liverpool Dearly

It’s ironic that Szoboszlai — Liverpool’s player of the season and their scorer against Manchester City — was sent off for pulling down Haaland just before the final whistle. Frequently Liverpool’s savior this season, even he couldn’t escape the chaos that seems to define the Reds’ unpredictable campaign.

Szoboszlai believed he had secured victory for the hosts with a sublime free kick 16 minutes from time, showcasing an energetic performance. He has now netted four direct free kicks this season, the most by a Liverpool player in one campaign since Luis Suárez’s five in 2012-13.

Assigned to play right back against City, Szoboszlai aimed to drive the team forward during the second half, reaffirming that he possesses the qualities to potentially lead Liverpool in the future. yet, in stoppage time, with Alisson out of position, Szoboszlai impulsively yanked at Haaland’s shirt, leading to his dismissal after a VAR review.

This means he will miss Liverpool’s challenging midweek match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. When trouble strikes, it seems to pour for Slot and Liverpool this season. — Lindop

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Guehi Highlights What Liverpool Is Missing

Marc Guéhi should presently be a Liverpool player, but Crystal Palace’s decision to abort his transfer to Anfield on deadline day last September cost him the chance to join the champions, leaving Liverpool without a crucial center-back.

Since missing out on Guehi, Liverpool has struggled to enhance their defensive lineup, continuing to lack depth at the back.

After missing the opportunity to sign Guehi in the summer, Liverpool didn’t pursue the England defender in January, allowing City to secure a £20 million deal and keep him from a key rival. even with facing jeers whenever he touched the ball, Guehi delivered a solid performance against Liverpool, illustrating what they forfeited.

even if he received a yellow card for a foul on Salah, Guehi was otherwise dependable. It raises questions about how differently things might have unfolded had he been playing for Liverpool on Sunday. — Ogden