Haaland's late penalty seals dramatic Anfield win, keeping Premier League hopes alive

Erling Haaland struck a stoppage-time penalty to complete a stunning Manchester City comeback and secure a dramatic 2–1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, keeping City’s Premier League hopes firmly alive after a chaotic and eventful contest.

The match burst into life early, with Haaland going close inside two minutes, forcing Liverpool into an immediate defensive scramble.

City started brightly, pressing high and creating half-chances through Antoine Semenyo and Omar Marmoush, while Liverpool looked dangerous on the break through Mohamed Salah.

Both sides traded opportunities in an open first half. Marmoush twice went close for City, while Salah remained Liverpool’s main threat, seeing shots blocked and appeals for a penalty waved away.

The intensity was reflected in the bookings, with Marmoush and Virgil van Dijk both cautioned before the break as neither team managed to find a breakthrough.

The second half continued at a frantic pace. Liverpool pushed forward, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitiké testing City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, while Alisson was forced into sharp saves at the other end to deny Semenyo.

Injuries and substitutions disrupted City’s rhythm, with Khusanov forced off after a head injury.

The deadlock was finally broken in spectacular fashion in the 74th minute. Szoboszlai curled a sensational free-kick past Donnarumma to ignite Anfield and put Liverpool 1–0 ahead.

However, City responded with resilience. Ten minutes later, Haaland showed his physical presence, knocking the ball down for Bernardo Silva, who calmly slid his finish past Alisson to level the score at 1–1.

Late drama followed. Deep into stoppage time, Matheus Nunes was brought down in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Haaland stepped up under immense pressure and made no mistake, sending Alisson the wrong way to give City a 2–1 lead in the 93rd minute.

Tempers flared in extra time, with Szoboszlai shown a red card for pulling Haaland’s shirt, compounding Liverpool’s misery on a dramatic night at Anfield.

The result keeps Manchester City firmly in the Premier League title race with 6 points behind leaders Arsenal, while Liverpool are left to rue missed chances and a late collapse in one of the season’s most dramatic encounters.