Liverpool vs Man City chaos live: Anfield thriller shakes Premier League race

Kick-off! As of today, 2026-02-10, the pitch is on fire... You wanted football results today? You got absolute chaos. Anfield just served up another instant classic as Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-2 in a Premier League live blockbuster that could swing the whole title race. Goals, drama, a controversial VAR call, and the biggest stars under the brightest lights – this is why you never skip a Liverpool v City night.

Liverpool 3-2 Man City – Salah vs Haaland under the floodlights

This one started at 100 mph and somehow got even faster. Manchester City drew first blood after just 9 minutes. Kevin De Bruyne picked up a loose ball between the lines, slid a filthy reverse pass into Erling Haaland, and the Norwegian did what he does: one touch to set, one touch to smash. Erling Haaland drilled it low into the bottom corner for 0-1. Another day, another goal for the goal robot.

But Liverpool refused to blink. On 24 minutes, Trent Alexander-Arnold clipped a diagonal towards the back post, Darwin Núñez bullied Rúben Dias in the air, and cushioned a header across goal. Waiting there, like he always is, was Mohamed Salah, who volleyed home from close range to make it 1-1. Pure striker’s instinct. Anfield exploded.

City tried to strangle the tempo with their usual possession, but Liverpool’s counter-press kept biting. In the 41st minute, another huge moment: Alexis Mac Allister nicked the ball off Rodri, slipped Salah into the right channel, and the Egyptian King squared it for Darwin Núñez. One touch, then a ruthless left-foot finish across Ederson for 2-1. From behind to ahead before half-time – classic Liverpool chaos.

Second-half madness: Haaland strikes again, then a late Liverpool winner

Pep Guardiola reacted at the break, throwing on Phil Foden to overload the left. It worked almost instantly. In the 56th minute, Foden drove inside, combined with Bernardo Silva, and floated a delicious cross towards the penalty spot. Haaland bullied Virgil van Dijk in the air and powered a header past Alisson for 2-2. Erling Haaland again – cold, ruthless, unstoppable.

But the final word belonged to Liverpool. In the 88th minute, with the game stretched and legs gone, substitute Luis Díaz tore down the left and cut inside. His shot was blocked, the ball spilled out towards the edge of the box, and Dominik Szoboszlai arrived like a train. One vicious right-foot strike, top corner, 3-2 Liverpool. Anfield absolutely shook. You could feel the title race tilting in real time.

VAR chaos: The handball that sent X into meltdown

The biggest flashpoint dropped in stoppage time. City thought they’d snatched a 3-3 equaliser when De Bruyne’s free-kick was headed in by Rúben Dias. But after a long VAR check, the goal was ruled out for a handball by Manuel Akanji in the build-up. The ball brushed his arm as he challenged in the air, and after a painfully long review, the referee chalked it off.

City players lost it. Guardiola went ballistic on the touchline. Social media? Pure nuclear meltdown. Liverpool fans calling it justice, City fans screaming robbery. That single VAR frame will be replayed all week.

Star watch: Heroes and flops under the Anfield lights

Mohamed Salah looked like a man on a mission. One goal, one assist, and constant chaos down the right. He roasted Joško Gvardiol several times and dragged City’s back line all over the place. This was prime Salah – relentless, decisive, clutch.

Erling Haaland did everything he was supposed to do. Two goals, ruthless finishing, and he bullied both centre-backs all night. He can walk off the pitch saying he did his job, but his teammates didn’t fully back him up defensively.

Kevin De Bruyne was pure silk in phases – that first assist to Haaland was vintage KDB. But as the game became a track meet, even he got a bit rushed. Liverpool’s midfield energy with Szoboszlai and Mac Allister made it a scrap instead of a training drill.

For Liverpool, Dominik Szoboszlai deserves every bit of love. Not just the winning goal – his engine in midfield, his pressing, his willingness to shoot from range gave Liverpool that extra edge. On the flip side, Rúben Dias had a rough night, beaten in the air by Núñez and pulled out of position more than once.

Title race twist: where does this leave the table?

That 3-2 win doesn’t just live as a classic in isolation – it seriously shakes up the Premier League picture. Liverpool leapfrog City in the football league table, turning the pressure up on everyone chasing the crown. City, who came in with a slim lead, suddenly find themselves playing catch-up with the season heading into the decisive stretch.

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

If you’re tracking football results today to see who’s really built for the run-in, this is the kind of swing result that sticks. Momentum, belief, narrative – it all just shifted a little closer to Anfield.

Elsewhere in Europe: Bellingham and Mbappé keep shining

Over in La Liga, Jude Bellingham kept his ridiculous form going for Real Madrid. He scored in a 2-0 win, pouncing on a loose ball in the box and slamming it home. Another day, another goal contribution – the kid plays like he’s been doing this for a decade.

In France, Kylian Mbappé delivered again for Paris Saint-Germain, bagging a brace in a 3-1 win. One slick finish on the counter, one penalty calmly rolled in – classic Mbappé. With Champions League news heating up, both Bellingham and Mbappé look locked in ahead of the knockout rounds.

My take: this felt like a statement, not just three points

From a reporter’s seat, this didn’t feel like just another big-game win – it felt like Liverpool planting a flag. Tactically, they went toe-to-toe with City instead of just sitting in and praying. Núñez’s work rate, Salah’s quality, and Szoboszlai’s all-action performance screamed: this team is absolutely in the title conversation.

For City, there’s no need to panic, but there has to be concern. When the intensity spikes, their back line can wobble, and tonight proved it again. In my opinion, Guardiola has to find a better way to protect that central defensive channel in these high-tempo games. You can’t keep relying on Haaland and De Bruyne to bail you out every single time.

But neutrals? We’re the real winners. This is the kind of night that reminds you why you obsess over Premier League live coverage, why you check soccer news every five minutes, why you live for that one outrageous moment when the net bulges and the stadium loses its mind.

So if you’re scrolling for football results today, just know: this one at Anfield wasn’t just a scoreline, it was a statement.

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