Premier League chaos live: Liverpool stun City, Haaland blanks at Anfield
25.01.2026 - 09:01:12
Liverpool 3–1 Manchester City – Anfield turns the title race upside down
Did you see that?? This was supposed to be another Erling Haaland masterclass, but instead, it turned into a red storm. Liverpool ripped into Manchester City with intensity, smart pressing and ruthless finishing, running out 3–1 winners in a game that might just define the season.
The scoring started early. In the 14th minute, Darwin Núñez bullied his way between Rúben Dias and John Stones to nod home a whipped cross from Andrew Robertson. Classic Núñez chaos – wild movement, huge leap, 1–0 Liverpool and Anfield absolutely exploding.
City did what City do, though. On 29 minutes, a slick move through midfield saw Kevin De Bruyne slide a filthy pass between the lines to Phil Foden, who cut inside and drilled a low shot past Alisson at the near post. Foden’s equaliser made it 1–1 and suddenly it felt like peak heavyweight football – every touch loaded with tension.
Then came the turning point. Just after half-time, City thought they’d taken control when Erling Haaland broke free and finished coolly, but VAR ruled it out for the tightest of offsides in the build-up against Bernardo Silva. The stadium went wild – City players furious, Guardiola raging on the touchline, Haaland fuming. No goal. Still 1–1. And that decision lit a fire under Liverpool.
On 63 minutes, Mohamed Salah – who’d been quiet on the scoresheet but deadly in his movement – dragged defenders wide before slipping a pass into Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian international smashed a first-time rocket from the edge of the box into the top corner. 2–1 Liverpool, pure thunderstrike. De Bruyne could only watch as Szoboszlai stole his long-range spotlight.
City pushed, but Haaland just couldn’t get going. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté locked him up all game – every aerial duel contested, every run tracked. The big Norwegian had one huge headed chance in the 78th minute, but he sent it straight at Alisson. For a player with his numbers, this was a straight-up flop by his standards: no goals, no killer moment, and clearly frustrated.
The killer blow came late. On 88 minutes, Liverpool broke from a City corner. Salah drove forward, pulled it onto his left and forced Ederson into a low save. The rebound dropped perfectly for substitute Diogo Jota, who calmly side-footed home for 3–1. Game, set, Anfield mayhem.
Star watch: Salah didn’t score, but ended with two assists and felt like the puppet master every time Liverpool broke. Núñez brought the chaos and a crucial opener. Szoboszlai delivered the highlight-reel screamer. For City, De Bruyne had moments of genius and a lovely assist, but Haaland leaving this game without a goal – in a fixture this big – is the headline from the blue side.
Title race reshaped – where does this leave the table?
With this win, Liverpool not only grab massive bragging rights, they also flip the pressure right back onto City. The gap at the top tightens, goal difference swings, and suddenly every dropped point feels fatal.
City’s usually bulletproof aura looks a bit cracked, while Liverpool’s belief just shot through the roof. A couple of weeks ago, it felt like City might cruise. Now? It’s a straight sprint to the line, and even the chasing pack will feel like they’ve been thrown a lifeline.
What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings
Elsewhere in Europe – Bellingham & Mbappé under the spotlight
Over in Spain, Jude Bellingham did Jude Bellingham things again. Real Madrid’s midfield superstar grabbed a crucial goal in a 2–0 win, arriving late into the box to bury a low cross for the opener. While another forward added the second, this one felt like Bellingham’s night – constant ball progression, leadership, swagger. He’s not just part of the story; he is the story at Madrid right now.
In France, all eyes were on Kylian Mbappé. PSG’s talisman scored from the penalty spot but also missed a huge one-on-one that could’ve put the game to bed. He still walked away with a goal in a narrow PSG win, but by his own insane standards it felt… incomplete. He was dangerous all night, but the conversation online is already split between “clutch again” and “should’ve finished them earlier.”
Social Media Spotlight – VAR rage & Anfield noise
The moment that’s blowing up the timeline? That disallowed Haaland goal. City fans are convinced the VAR call was microscopic and harsh, Liverpool fans are calling it justice after what they’ve seen go against them in recent seasons. The official hashtag #LIVMCI is basically a battlefield right now.
The Internet is Exploding: 3 Social Media Highlights
X Discussion: Fans furious over the VAR offside on Haaland's "equaliser"
My take: this was a statement, not just a win
Let’s be real: this wasn’t just three points. This was Liverpool standing in the middle of the Premier League and yelling, “We’re not going anywhere.” In my opinion, Jürgen Klopp (and the whole Anfield machine) absolutely out-muscled and out-emotioned City tonight.
City still have the deeper squad and the calmer control over a full season, but the body language told a story. Guardiola looked rattled, Haaland looked annoyed, and the whole side seemed to lose just a bit of belief after that VAR call and Szoboszlai’s screamer. That’s not usually them.
On the flip side, Salah looked like the ultimate big-game leader. Even without a goal, he dragged Liverpool up the pitch, picked his moments, and tormented the City back line. If he stays fit and locked in like this, plus Núñez keeps bringing that wild energy and Jota keeps popping up with clutch finishes, this title race is going right to the wire.
What’s next?
From now on, every single round is going to feel like a cup final at the top. City can’t afford to sulk, Liverpool can’t afford to relax, and the chasing pack will smell blood after seeing the champions get stung again.
If you’re tracking football results today and trying to figure out who actually has the edge, the numbers don’t lie – the table tells the whole rollercoaster story.
Check full stats & standings now
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