Erling Haaland kept Manchester City's title hopes alive with an added-time penalty as Pep Guardiola's side came from behind to win 2-1 in a chaotic finish at Anfield. The Norway international scored only his second Premier League goal since Christmas, and his first at Anfield, to give City their first win in front of a crowd at the stadium since 2003.
Liverpool had taken the lead in the 74th minute through a brilliant 30-yard free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai, who seemed to have handed a huge advantage to leaders Arsenal. But Bernardo Silva volleyed Haaland's knockdown through the legs of Alisson to equalise, and with six minutes remaining, Alisson brought down Matheus Nunes to allow Haaland to score the winner from the spot.
The match ended in bizarre fashion as Szoboszlai and Haaland chased Rayan Cherki’s shot from inside City's half, with goalkeeper Alisson upfield. Szoboszlai pulled Haaland, who then tugged back the Hungary captain as the ball trickled over the line. After a VAR check, referee Craig Pawson ruled out the goal, awarded a free-kick to City, and sent off Szoboszlai for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
City dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances, with Alisson denying Haaland twice in the first half. Liverpool defended with resilience, and Mohamed Salah had a shot deflected wide by Marc Guehi and later lobbed onto the roof of the net. City lost Abdukodir Khusanov to concussion after a collision with his own goalkeeper, while Guehi was booked for pulling back Salah on the edge of the area.
The win reduces Arsenal's lead at the top to six points, keeping City in the title race. Haaland acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, 'We have to keep pushing and get better.'
