Liverpool
Manchester City
Match Statistics
Confirmed Lineups
- 1 Alisson
- 2 Szoboszlai D.
- 3 Konate I.
- 4 van Dijk V.
- 5 Kerkez M.
- 6 Gravenberch R.
- 7 Mac Allister A.
- 8 Salah M.
- 9 Wirtz F.
- 10 Gakpo C.
- 11 Ekitike H.
Substitutes
Chiesa F., Endo W., Jones C., Mamardashvili G., Ngumoha R., Nyoni T., Ramsay C., Robertson A., Woodman F.
- 1 Donnarumma G.
- 2 Nunes M.
- 3 Khusanov A.
- 4 Guehi M.
- 5 Ait-Nouri R.
- 6 Silva B.
- 7 Rodri
- 8 O'Reilly N.
- 9 Semenyo A.
- 10 Haaland E.
- 11 Marmoush O.
Substitutes
Ake N., Alleyne M., Cherki R., Dias R., Foden P., Lewis R., Nico, Reijnders T., Trafford J., X
Liverpool vs Manchester City Match Commentary
Liverpool vs Manchester City Match Overview: 1-2 Premier League
Anfield lived through a classic twist of late-season tension as Manchester City snatched a 2-1 win over Liverpool on 2026-02-08, turning a Liverpool lead into a brutal Liverpool vs Manchester City Result that felt decided by nerve, not noise. Dominik Szoboszlai’s superb second-half free-kick had the Kop believing, only for Bernardo Silva to respond and Erling Haaland to deliver the final blow from the spot deep into stoppage time. It was a Liverpool vs Manchester City Score that matched the drama, even if City’s chances and control hinted they’d earned their moment.
First Half: City settle, Liverpool threaten in bursts
From the opening exchanges, Manchester City looked comfortable playing through pressure, with Rodri knitting the phases together and Bernardo Silva constantly offering angles between Liverpool’s lines. Liverpool’s offside line held firm but flirted with danger; Haaland tested Alisson early and later forced a superb diving save as City’s forward movement repeatedly pulled the home back line into uncomfortable decisions.
Liverpool, though, carried their own threat whenever Mohamed Salah found a pocket to turn. A rebound effort from Salah whistled just over, and Hugo Ekitike’s best opening arrived when he took a touch too many inside the box, allowing City’s cover to smother what should have been a clean strike. The first half never quite exploded, but it simmered—City probing with patience, Liverpool flashing with sudden, sharp moments that kept the stadium on edge.
Second Half: set-piece brilliance, a swift reply, and stoppage-time heartbreak
Liverpool came out with more bite after the break, pushing Salah and Florian Wirtz closer to the box and asking questions with quick deliveries and second balls. Ekitike glanced a header narrowly wide, and Szoboszlai began to dictate where Liverpool’s attacks would land, drawing fouls and forcing City backwards in short spells.
The breakthrough arrived in the 74th minute and it was pure technique: Szoboszlai stepped up to a free-kick in a prime shooting lane and bent an effort that kissed the post on its way in. Anfield erupted, the kind of roar that suggests a match has tilted permanently. But Manchester City didn’t panic. They tightened their structure, increased the tempo of their circulation, and began to load the box with more purpose.
In the 84th minute, City’s pressure finally paid. Haaland helped the move with a clever header back into the danger area, and Bernardo Silva reacted quickest to finish, silencing the stands and resetting the emotional balance in an instant. Liverpool tried to respond with urgency—corners, long shots, and direct balls toward Salah—but City’s defensive clearances piled up as they protected the point that was now turning into something bigger.
Then came the moment that decided the Liverpool vs Manchester City Match Report. In stoppage time, Alisson was penalised for a challenge that gifted City a penalty. Haaland, unfazed by the noise and the weight of the occasion, drilled his kick into the corner to complete the turnaround. A chaotic finale followed: a late City effort was ruled out after a VAR review, and Liverpool’s Szoboszlai saw red in the same sequence, compounding a night that had swung from ecstasy to disbelief. When the whistle finally came, City had the points—and Liverpool were left with the bitter feeling of a match that slipped away at the very last.
Key Moments
- Szoboszlai’s sensational 74th-minute free-kick put Liverpool in front and lifted Anfield.
- Alisson’s key saves kept Liverpool alive during City’s strongest spells, including a sharp stop from Haaland earlier on.
- Bernardo Silva’s 84th-minute finish levelled the game after Haaland’s header created the opening.
- Haaland converted a stoppage-time penalty to seal the decisive Liverpool vs Manchester City Score.
- VAR drama late on: a City goal was disallowed and Szoboszlai was shown a red card in the aftermath.
For supporters looking for Liverpool vs Manchester City Highlights, this was a match of two halves emotionally: Liverpool’s set-piece joy, City’s ruthless closing act, and a finish that will be replayed for the decisions as much as the goals.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Stats Breakdown
The numbers underline why City never looked out of it, even at 1-0. In the Liverpool vs Manchester City Stats, Pep Guardiola’s side edged possession (47% to 53%) and created the clearer openings, reflected by a significant xG advantage: Liverpool 1.21 to Manchester City 2.75. City also led shots on target (4 to 7) and big chances (1 to 3), while Liverpool’s repeated offside flags (6 to 2) disrupted their rhythm in key transitions.
An xG analysis also explains the late swing: City’s xG on target (xGOT) of 1.99 compared to Liverpool’s 0.34 points to higher-quality finishing opportunities, particularly the penalty and the close-range equaliser. Liverpool’s route to goal leaned heavily on dead-ball excellence, while City’s came from sustained pressure and decisive actions in the box—classic ingredients in a title-shaping Premier League match report.
In terms of Liverpool vs Manchester City Analysis, Liverpool’s best spell came immediately after half-time when they increased their intensity and forced City into more defensive work. But once City regained control of the ball, Liverpool were pushed deeper and asked to defend more crosses, second balls, and cutbacks than they would have wanted.
Liverpool vs Manchester City Lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo; Hugo Ekitike.
Subs used: Federico Chiesa, Curtis Jones.
Manchester City (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Marc Guehi, Rayan Aït-Nouri; Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Nico O’Reilly; Antoine Semenyo, Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush.
Subs used: Ruben Dias, Rayan Cherki, Nathan Aké.
For anyone searching Liverpool vs Manchester City Lineups, the headline was City’s control through Rodri and Bernardo, while Liverpool’s creative burden fell heavily on Salah and Wirtz to unlock a defence that handled pressure well in the closing stages.
Player of the Match
Erling Haaland (Manchester City). He was a constant reference point, forced key saves, created the equaliser with his presence, and showed elite composure to convert the stoppage-time penalty. In a match defined by late pressure, Haaland’s finishing and physical gravity shaped the outcome.
What the Result Means
This Liverpool vs Manchester City Result will sting on Merseyside because Liverpool had the lead, the atmosphere, and a moment of set-piece brilliance that looked like it might be enough. Instead, Manchester City leave Anfield with a statement win built on volume of chances and late-game clarity.
For Liverpool, the immediate task is emotional as much as tactical: regrouping after a red card and a gut-punch finish, then rediscovering control in the final minutes of big games. For City, it’s the kind of away victory that fuels belief in a run-in—calm under stress, clinical when the door opens, and relentless until the final whistle. If you’re checking on Liverpool match today or Manchester City match today, this one will be remembered as a night when momentum flipped in the space of ten frantic minutes.
Craig Pawson is looking at his watch and immediately ends this match.
90+15'
Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) unleashes a shot from the free kick, but blazes it over. This is a perfect example of a wasted chance.
90+13'
Here comes the VAR decision. Referee Craig Pawson produces a RED card from his pocket and Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) heads for an early shower!
90+13'
The referee looks satisfied after his VAR review and duly disallows the goal due to a foul. The Manchester City players look gutted.
90+12'
Maybe there was an infringement in the build up to the Manchester City goal as the referee signals a VAR review. This could get tense.
90+12'
Wait! The referee makes the VAR signal and he's going to review that incident from earlier. This could be a red card for Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)! Let's see what he decides.
90+10'
The keeper is struggling to get back after going up for that corner. Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) takes full advantage and simply floats the ball from long range into the back of the net to make the score 1:3.
90+9'
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) swings in the corner, but it's comfortably cleared away.
90+9'
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) was close to scoring a goal after unleashing a first-time strike from just outside the penalty area. The ball was aimed towards the top left corner, but the goalkeeper read it well and pulled off a brilliant save to thwart the attempt. The ball is out of play. Liverpool will have a chance to score from a corner.
90+7'
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) violates the laws of the game and is shown a deserved yellow card by the referee.
90+7'
Rayan Ait Nouri (Manchester City) goes on a mazy run, skips past two defenders and pulls the trigger in front of the keeper. Alisson makes a great save to stop the effort going into the left side of the goal.
90+6'
Pep Guardiola prepares a substitution. Antoine Semenyo is replaced by Nathan Ake (Manchester City).
90+5'
A pass from Federico Chiesa (Liverpool) is intercepted by Gianluigi Donnarumma and the move breaks down.
90+4'
Here comes a substitution. Federico Chiesa (Liverpool) is brought on as a substitute for Milos Kerkez.
90+4'
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) gives the referee no choice but to show him a yellow card.
90+3'
1 - 2
Goal! Erling Haaland (Manchester City) puts the ball into the bottom left corner past the outstretched arm of Alisson.
90+3'
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) will take the responsibility and he is already preparing the ball.
90+2'
The referee is firm and issues Alisson (Liverpool) a deserved yellow card.
90+1'
Alisson (Liverpool) commits an ugly challenge. The referee sees it and immediately blows his whistle. Manchester City are awarded a penalty kick!
90'
7 min. of stoppage-time to be played.
90'
Half-chance! Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) plays a pass into the box, but Alisson reacts well to snuff out the attack.
89'
Gianluigi Donnarumma doesn't have to worry about that one. Dominik Szoboszlai puts a cross in towards Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), who is unable to keep his header on target from the centre of the box. He sends the ball well wide of the right post.
89'
Here's the latest number of offsides – 6:2. The statistic for corner kicks – 4:4.
87'
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) receives a pass and fires a shot in from long range, but it's blocked.
86'
Curtis Jones (Liverpool) attempted to send a defence-splitting pass into space where Mohamed Salah was lurking. It could have put him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but one of the defending players somehow manages to avert the threat.
86'
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) sends a long cross over to Alexis Mac Allister, but Gianluigi Donnarumma comes forward to gather the ball.
85'
Here comes a substitution. Cody Gakpo is given a rest as he is replaced by Curtis Jones (Liverpool).
84'
1 - 1
GOAL! A cross into the box is headed down by Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) does brilliantly to get to the ball and fire home. 1:1.
83'
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) finds himself in a promising position after receiving a beautiful cross from the side, but the opposition defence is ready and one of the defenders averts the threat with a quick interception.
82'
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) goes on a solo run, but he fails to create a chance as an opposition player blocks him.
80'
Manchester City hold possession of the ball and display neat passing from player to player. They are waiting for the right moment to open up the opposition's defence to hit them swiftly on the break.
78'
A pass into the penalty area from Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) is intercepted by the defence.
77'
It could have been a good chance to score! Rodri (Manchester City) fails to release Erling Haaland with a through ball as the defence is alert and clears.
74'
1 - 0
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) takes the free kick from a promising position. He has already proven that he can handle such situations and once again, he sends the ball goalwards and it bounces in off the right post.
73'
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) trips an opposition player and Craig Pawson signals a foul. Liverpool earn a free kick which could lead to a goal-scoring opportunity.
73'
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) sends a teasing cross into the area, but Gianluigi Donnarumma intercepts the ball.
72'
Total attempts – 10:12. 1:4 - the latest stats for both teams in respect of shots on target.
71'
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) takes the free kick from the edge of the box and fires the ball goalwards. The goalkeeper can stay calm as the shot sails high over the bar.
69'
The referee had an easy-decision to make. A yellow card is given to Marc Guehi (Manchester City) for a foul that he committed a little earlier.
68'
Marc Guehi (Manchester City) is penalised for holding. Craig Pawson signals a set piece. Liverpool have a free kick from a promising distance.
67'
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) puts a cross into the box from the free kick, but the defender gets there first. Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool) runs onto a good long pass and tries his luck from the edge of the box, but his effort flies high over the bar.
67'
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) brings his opponent down. Craig Pawson has a clear sight of it and blows his whistle for a foul. Liverpool will take a free kick.
66'
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) launches a powerful cross from the corner into the box, but the ball is intercepted by the defender.
65'
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) takes the corner, but it's intercepted by the defender. Now Liverpool have a corner.
65'
Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) collects a pass inside the box and unleashes a shot which is brilliantly blocked by a defender. The referee and one of his assistants signal for a corner kick to Liverpool.
64'
Ruben Dias (Manchester City) bends the ball in from the edge of the box which worries the keeper, but it eventually sails just wide of the left post.
63'
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) fails to time his run beyond the last defender and the linesman makes a good call by signalling for offside after seeing the whole situation unfold.
61'
Pep Guardiola has decided to make a change. Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) replaces Omar Marmoush.
61'
Possibly concussed, Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City) leaves the field to be replaced by Ruben Dias.
58'
Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City) is clearly asking for some medical attention with his painful gestures. The extent of his injury is yet to be discovered.
57'
Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) is caught offside yet again.
56'
Mohamed Salah slings in a great lofted ball towards Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool), who doesn't get the best of contacts but still sends a close-range header inches wide of the left post.
56'
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) fashions a shot from the edge of the box after receiving an accurate pass. Alisson makes a comfortable save to stop the effort from flying into the middle of the goal.
54'
Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) is flagged offside not for the first time in this match.
53'
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) attempts to find some of his teammates with a dangerous pass from the edge of the box. The opponent's defence, however, intercepts the effort and clears the ball to safety.
53'
Cody Gakpo provides the assist in the box, but Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) places his shot a fraction wide of the right post.
52'
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) sees an opportunity to score and unleashes a powerful first-time rocket of a shot from long range. Gianluigi Donnarumma has a clear sight of the shot and pulls off a comfortable save to block the effort, which was directed to the bottom right corner.
52'
One of the defenders reacts at the last minute to brilliantly block a pass from Florian Wirtz (Liverpool).
51'
Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) is repeatedly being caught offside.
50'
Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City) pulls the jersey of one of the opposition players and Craig Pawson blows his whistle for a foul.
48'
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) takes the free kick but it is cleared by the first defender.
47'
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) is given a fully deserved yellow card.
46'
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) receives a good pass just outside the box, unleashes a strike from a promising position, but the shot is blocked by the defender.
46'
The half-time break is over and the second half is about to start.
45+3'
The first half of today's match has just finished.
45'
The fourth official shows 2 min. of added time.
45'
Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) tries to find Hugo Ekitike, but he puts too much power on the through ball. The ball goes out of play and Manchester City will have a goal kick.
43'
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) goes down in the box after a challenge from the defender. Possibly unsighted, the referee just waves play on.
42'
Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) receives a yellow card from the referee as expected.
41'
Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) tries to threaten the goalkeeper as he takes the ball and fires from long range. The shot flies just over the crossbar!
41'
Rodri (Manchester City) gets on the end of a pass on the edge of the box but his shot is blocked.
40'
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) swings in the corner kick, but one of the defenders leaps highest to head the ball away.
39'
Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) releases Bernardo Silva with a precise pass and he attempts to finish, but is immediately surrounded by the defenders and loses the ball.
37'
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) makes a run beyond the last defender, but he's offside.
36'
Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) finds himself in an offside position and the referee stops play after the linesman raises his flag.
34'
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) gets on the end of a pass and produces a promising first-time shot towards the left side of the goal. His effort is blocked by Alisson with a brilliant diving save!
33'
Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) looks to break free, but his touch lets him down and he loses the ball.
31'
He should have scored! Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) gathered a short pass deep inside the box but took too long to shoot, allowing the defender to make the block.
31'
The current number of shots on target for both teams is 2:7. Shots on target – 0:2.
28'
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) pounced on a rebound on the edge of the box and his shot goes a whisker over the crossbar.
28'
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) sends the corner into the box, but Gianluigi Donnarumma intercepts it and averts the threat.
26'
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) puts a dangerous cross into the box, but the corner is cleared by the first man.
26'
That's unlucky! Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) beautifully controls a pass and from the edge of the box drills a shot in on goal, but it's inadvertently blocked by a defender and cleared. Liverpool will have a chance to score from a corner kick.
25'
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) takes the corner kick but the ball only finds the head of an opponent.
24'
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) receives a sweet pass inside the box, but his effort on goal is blocked by the defender. The ball is out of play and Manchester City manage to earn a corner.
22'
Marc Guehi (Manchester City) peeled away from his marker and got on the end of the resulting corner, but he sends his header straight at the goalkeeper.
22'
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) decides to take a short corner instead of crossing into the box.
22'
Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) collects a pass from the flank, looks up and fires in a goal-bound shot from the edge of the box which canons off a defender to safety. Manchester City have been awarded a corner kick. The referee and one of his assistants both point at the corner flag.
20'
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) crosses the ball into the box from the free kick, but the defence clears the danger.
19'
Craig Pawson blows his whistle after Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) brings one of his opponents down with a strong tackle. Manchester City will take a free kick near the side line.
19'
Rodri (Manchester City) picks out Erling Haaland with a fine lofted pass, but the latter wasn't able to create some space to get into shooting range.
18'
The corner from Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) is cleared away by the defence.
17'
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) attempts to release Omar Marmoush with a through ball, but his effort is thwarted by one of the defending players. Manchester City force their opponents to concede a corner.
16'
The ball possession at the moment is 40:60.
15'
A pass by Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) ends up in no man's land, and the attacking effort comes to an end.
15'
A pass from Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) is intercepted by Alisson and the move breaks down.
14'
Rodri (Manchester City) receives a pin-point pass in the middle of the pitch which gives him a great opportunity to score. He is unfazed by the distance and slams the ball towards the goal. He is unlucky as he hits one of his own teammates.
12'
Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) is clearly in an offside position and the linesman raises his flag.
11'
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) sends the ball into the penalty area from a free kick a few yards outside the box. The cross is good, but the goalkeeper shows himself in a good light as he leaps high to intercept the ball.
10'
Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City) wastes a great chance as he climbs high around the penalty spot to connect with a cross from the resulting free kick. He produces a header, but it goes well wide of the right post.
9'
Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool) holds his opponent to prevent him from getting the ball and the referee blows his whistle for a foul. Manchester City win a free kick.
7'
Craig Pawson blows his whistle as Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) used excessive force in the tackle during an attack.
6'
Cody Gakpo almost found himself in a promising position after Milos Kerkez (Liverpool) tried to send a defence-splitting pass, but one of the defenders reacts well and makes a timely interception.
5'
The keeper doesn't have to worry about this one. Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City) sacrificed accuracy for power, and thus his attempt went well over the bar.
5'
The Manchester City players keep the ball and are exchanging a combination of passes. They are waiting for gaps in the defence to open up.
3'
Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) is caught offside!
2'
Erling Haaland (Manchester City) takes a wonderful touch after collecting a pass inside the box. He steers his low drive towards the right post, but the keeper dives low to keep the ball out.
1'
Marc Guehi (Manchester City) plays a terrific long ball forward to Omar Marmoush, but he can't beat his man and the move breaks down.
1'
The first half has started.
The players are out at last! Manchester City will take the kick-off.
The referee of today's match will be Craig Pawson.
Show lineups
Both teams starting lineups are available now, so you can have a look at them.
Hello to all football fans, we are here to bring you a live commentary of the following match, describing all the most interesting and important moments. We'll make sure you won't miss a thing, so just sit back and have fun.