Haaland’s late penalty sparks dramatic City comeback at Anfield

Erling Haaland struck deep into stoppage time to seal a remarkable Manchester City comeback against Liverpool, breathing fresh life into the Premier League title race with a dramatic victory at Anfield, Sport360NG reports.

City, who trailed late in the contest, reduced Arsenal’s lead at the summit to six points with 13 matches still to play, as Pep Guardiola’s side produced a resilient finish to claim a rare league win on Merseyside.

Liverpool looked set for victory after Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed a stunning long-range free-kick in the 74th minute, bending the ball beyond the reach of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The strike, his ninth of the campaign, sent Anfield into raptures and appeared to put Arne Slot’s side on course for three points.

However, City refused to fold. Bernardo Silva hauled the visitors level in the 84th minute, turning in from close range after sustained pressure. Then, in the third minute of added time, Matheus Nunes was brought down inside the area by goalkeeper Alisson, prompting referee Craig Pawson to award a penalty.

Haaland stepped up and calmly converted, netting his 21st league goal of the season and sparking jubilant celebrations among the travelling supporters.

Moments later, Donnarumma produced a superb save to deny Alexis Mac Allister, before City thought they had added a third through Rayan Cherki’s audacious finish from inside his own half with Alisson stranded upfield. The goal was overturned following a VAR review, with Szoboszlai instead shown a red card for pulling Haaland back in the build-up, but the decision had little impact on the final outcome.

The victory marked City’s first league success at Anfield since 2021 and their first in front of supporters there since 2003. It was also only their third league win at Liverpool in 23 meetings, completing a rare league double over their rivals for the first time since the 1936–37 season.

City dominated possession in the opening half but were wasteful in front of goal, with Alisson twice denying Haaland early on. Liverpool improved significantly after the interval, with Hugo Ekitike going close on two occasions and Mohamed Salah providing a constant threat, yet they were unable to protect their late advantage.

For Liverpool, the defeat was another painful example of their struggles to see out matches. They have now conceded four 90th-minute winners in league games this season, a joint Premier League high. Alisson’s ill-timed challenge on Nunes proved decisive, while Szoboszlai’s dismissal leaves Slot with a selection problem ahead of the midweek clash with Sunderland.

City, meanwhile, showed the character Guardiola demanded before the match. With questions lingering over the manager’s future, this was only his second win in 11 visits to Anfield and a statement result in the title chase. Haaland’s composure from the spot and Silva’s timely intervention underlined City’s belief as they sent a clear message to leaders Arsenal that the race is far from over.