Liverpool v Man City goes crazy: late drama, Haaland & Salah in live thriller

Kick-off! As of today, 2026-02-08, the pitch is on fire... You came here for football results today and wow, this Premier League live blockbuster at Anfield absolutely delivered. Liverpool and Manchester City just played out a frantic 2-2 draw that felt like a Champions League night, with Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah both on the scoresheet and a massive late VAR twist that has everyone talking.

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City – Haaland vs Salah, chaos at Anfield

From the first whistle this felt different. City actually struck first: in the 18th minute, Kevin De Bruyne slid a filthy through ball between the lines, and of course it was Erling Haaland who punished Liverpool. One touch to set, second touch low into the far corner past Alisson. Clinical, ice cold, another one for the top scorers today list.

Liverpool hit back with their own superstar. On 33 minutes, Darwin Núñez bullied his way down the left, cut the ball back to the edge of the box where Mohamed Salah curled a right-foot strike into the top corner. Ederson got a touch but had no chance. 1-1 and Anfield absolutely exploded.

Haaland could easily have had a brace before half-time. He smashed one effort into the side netting and then saw a point?blank header saved by Alisson. De Bruyne was running the show between the lines, but Liverpool’s press – led by Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai – kept City right on the edge.

Second-half swing: Foden magic, Núñez answers

Right after the break City went back in front with pure quality. In the 54th minute, a quick combination between De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva freed Phil Foden on the left. He chopped inside Trent Alexander-Arnold and whipped a right?foot rocket into the far top corner. Goalkeeper has no chance, textbook Foden. Officially, the goal goes down for Phil Foden, assist Bernardo Silva. 2-1 City.

But this Liverpool side just doesn’t quit. In the 72nd minute, a wicked in?swinging corner from Salah found Virgil van Dijk at the back post. His header was parried by Ederson, but the rebound spilled straight to Darwin Núñez, who smashed it home from five yards. Another big goal for Núñez, who is quietly climbing into the conversation for football results today top scorers.

VAR shocker in stoppage time

And then came the talking point. Deep into stoppage time, City thought they’d won it. Haaland barreled into the box, the ball broke loose to substitute Julián Álvarez, who squared for Foden to tap in. 3-2 City… or so we thought.

After a long check, VAR ruled that Haaland had tugged Van Dijk’s shirt in the buildup. The goal was chalked off. The referee stuck with the VAR recommendation, Anfield roared like Liverpool had scored, and Pep Guardiola went absolutely wild on the touchline. The hot topic everywhere right now is that VAR decision – was it soft, or a clear foul?

In the end, Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City feels like the fairest result, but both sets of fans will swear they should’ve won it.

Star Men: Who showed up, who went missing?

• Erling Haaland (Man City) – One ruthless finish, could’ve had more. A constant problem for Liverpool’s back line. Not his most dominant game ever, but still pure danger every time he got a sight of goal.
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Yet again, the man for the big occasion. One stunning goal, one assist from the corner, and always the outlet when Liverpool broke. Definitely not a flop today – he carried their threat in the final third.
• Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) – The brain of City’s attack. Registered the assist for Haaland and dictated tempo. Tired late on but his passing range is unreal.
• Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) – Had to deal with Haaland all game. Won some battles, lost some, and was right at the heart of the disallowed goal incident. A warrior performance even if he’ll hate conceding twice.
• Phil Foden (Man City) – Scored an outrageous goal and looked like City’s most dangerous dribbler. On another day, his late tap?in stands and he’s the match?winner.

What this means for the title race

The draw keeps the title race insanely tight. Liverpool stay right on City’s heels instead of letting them sprint away, while Arsenal and the rest will be eyeing this result thinking they’re back in it. Every single point is massive now as we look at the football league table and try to project who’s lifting the trophy in May.

What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings

Elsewhere in Europe: Champions League contenders tune up

This wasn’t just about England. Across the continent, Champions League news is buzzing. In Spain, Jude Bellingham powered Real Madrid to a 3-1 home win, bagging a brace and reminding everybody why he’s the most hyped midfielder in the world right now. Bellingham’s first goal came from a quick one-two before he side?footed into the bottom corner, his second a towering header from a Vinícius Júnior cross.

Over in France, Kylian Mbappé scored the winner for PSG in a tight 2-1 victory. He slotted home a penalty after a clumsy challenge in the box and nearly added another with a solo run that went just wide. No flop energy from Mbappé – just another day, another match?winning moment.

Social Media Spotlight

Young reporter take: who actually won tonight?

If we're being honest, this feels like two points dropped for City. When you've got Haaland, De Bruyne, Foden all starting and you "win" it in stoppage time only for VAR to rip it away, that stings like a defeat. Guardiola will be fuming about the foul call on Haaland – he'll say it happens every corner, every game.

For Liverpool, I'm calling this a statement draw. They went toe-to-toe with the most stacked squad on the planet, matched their intensity, and saw their big guns – Salah, Núñez, Van Dijk – deliver in pressure moments. In my opinion, this performance proves they're absolutely legit title contenders and not just passengers hoping City slip.

And for the neutral? This is exactly why we live for football results today. Superstars scoring, managers raging, VAR drama and a title race that refuses to calm down. Pure chaos. Pure fun.

Final whistle: what's next?

The ripple effect from this game is huge. The next round of fixtures suddenly feels even bigger, every dropped point fatal. Keep one eye on the Champions League news too – If this is how Liverpool and City are playing right now, imagine these two in a knockout tie. Terrifying for everyone else.

Before you dive into the next match report or scroll more soccer news, make sure you actually see how this result changed everything near the top of the table.

Check full stats & standings now

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