Liverpool vs Man City goes crazy: Anfield drama, title race live
10.02.2026 - 06:45:53
Liverpool 2–1 Manchester City: Salah calm, Haaland cold
This was billed as the game that could define the Premier League live title chase – and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Liverpool struck first, City hit back, and then came a cold-blooded winner that might echo through the rest of the campaign.
Liverpool went 1–0 up after a blistering start. In the 19th minute, Darwin Núñez bullied his way between Rúben Dias and John Stones, laid it off, and Mohamed Salah did what Mohamed Salah does: one touch to set, second touch rifled low into the far corner past Ederson. Salah on the scoresheet again, adding to the top scorers today storyline and reminding everyone why hes still one of the deadliest in world football.
City were stunned but not broken. On 38 minutes, they stitched together one of those trademark Guardiola moves: Rodri into Kevin De Bruyne, slide-rule pass out wide to Bernardo Silva, cut-back to the penalty spot – and Erling Haaland finally got his chance. He smashed it first-time into the roof of the net to make it 1–1. De Bruyne the creator, Haaland the finisher, and for a moment it felt like the champions were about to slip into that ruthless mode where they suffocate you.
But if were talking heroes and flops, this wasnt peak Haaland. After the break, he had two huge moments to tilt the whole season. On 54 minutes, through on goal after a rare Virgil van Dijk slip, Haaland opened up his body for the far corner and dragged it wide. Then, in the 72nd minute, a wicked De Bruyne cross found him unmarked six yards out – his header went straight at Alisson. On another night, thats a brace and a City win. Tonight? Not good enough. For his standards, thats a flop.
The winner: Núñez chaos, Jones composure, VAR meltdown
The decisive punch came in the 81st minute, and Anfield absolutely exploded. Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a diagonal ball, Núñez again caused havoc wrestling with Dias, the ball broke loose at the edge of the box, and Curtis Jones arrived like he owned the place. One touch to steady himself, second touch curled into the top corner beyond Edersons fingertips. 2–1 Liverpool, and the stadium shook.
But the drama didnt stop there. In stoppage time, City thought they had a lifeline. A cross bounced up onto Joe Gomezs arm inside the area. The referee waved play on, but VAR called him over to the monitor. The whole world held its breath. On social media, the words stonewall pen and never a pen were flying around in equal measure. After a long, long look, the ref stuck with his original call: no penalty. City players lost it, Guardiola fuming on the touchline, while the Kop roared like it was a goal.
That decision is already the hot topic online – everyone is arguing if the angle showed a clear handball or if Gomezs arm was in a natural position. The VAR drama is going to run for days.
Stars under the microscope: Salah shines, Bellingham battles, Haaland human
Mohamed Salah was pure big-game energy again. One goal, constant threat, dropping deep to link play, then sprinting in behind when Liverpool broke. Every time Liverpool launched a counter, you could feel City panic when Salah picked up the ball. Hes not just padding stats – hes deciding the biggest soccer games on the calendar.
Erling Haaland? One lethal finish, but overall, he felt weirdly human. You dont see him miss that many big chances very often. In a match like this, fine margins define your night. For the neutral, its nice to be reminded hes not a robot. For City fans, its just frustrating.
Meanwhile, over in Spain, Jude Bellingham was doing Jude Bellingham things again in La Liga. Real Madrid edged a tight one, and Bellingham rattled in another goal from midfield, ghosting into the box late and slotting home. That keeps him right in the mix for the seasons top scorers charts among midfielders and keeps Madrids momentum rolling into the next round of Champions League news and hype.
The ripple effect is real: these superstar performances – Salah delivering, Bellingham dominating, Haaland misfiring under pressure – all play into the ongoing debate about whos really carrying their club in the biggest moments.
What it means for the football league table
This Liverpool win blows the Premier League title race wide open. Instead of City easing away at the top, Liverpool have yanked them back into a full-on dogfight. Three points swing, goal difference squeezed, pressure rising with every fixture.
City now have to chase, not control. Liverpools confidence is surging, Anfield feels like a fortress again, and every neutral is thrilled because the run-in just became must-watch drama. When you look at the football league table now, that single Curtis Jones strike might be the moment we circle back to in May as the turning point.
What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings
Social Media Spotlight: VAR, memes, and pure chaos
The Internet is Exploding: 3 Social Media Highlights
X Discussion: Fans furious and divided over that last-minute VAR handball call
If you jump on #LIVMCI right now, your feed is basically split in two: one half spamming Salah memes and Curtis Jones fan-cams, the other half replaying the Gomez handball from 20 angles trying to prove the ref wrong. On Instagram, Liverpools official account is already pushing the full-time scenes – hugs, shouts, the whole squad saluting the Kop. And YouTube? Instant highlight packages, tactical breakdowns, and compilations of Haalands misses are already being cooked up.
Reporters take: Title statement or VAR robbery?
Heres my honest take: this felt like a massive title statement from Liverpool more than a robbery against City. Yes, the VAR call is controversial, but across 90 minutes, Liverpool played like a team that refused to let their season slip. They pressed hard, they ran like crazy, and when the moment came, their midfield stepped up with the winning goal.
City, on the other hand, looked just a little too casual at key moments. You cant waste chances like Haaland did in a place like Anfield and expect to get away with it. Guardiola will point to the penalty shout, but privately hes going to be furious at the lack of clinical edge. In soccer games at this level, its not about who controls the ball – its about who kills when the door is open.
For me, Salah was world-class again, Jones delivered a breakout statement performance, and Van Dijk quietly handled one of the toughest jobs in football: dealing with Haaland in full flow. This result doesnt just give Liverpool three points – it gives them belief.
Closing whistle: Buckle up for the run-in
This is exactly why we live for these nights: elite teams, superstar clashes, the table swinging back and forth, and a social media storm that keeps the debate going long after the final whistle. The Premier League live narrative just got a huge twist, and every upcoming round is now loaded with extra pressure.
If youre trying to piece together how todays drama affects the bigger picture – from top four battles to the title race – you need to keep one eye on the pitch and one eye on the numbers.
Check full stats & standings now
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@ ad-hoc-news.de
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