Liverpool vs Man City live thriller: Haaland, Salah & a brutal late twist
20.02.2026 - 13:30:02 | ad-hoc-news.de
Liverpool 2–2 Manchester City – Heavyweights trading haymakers
This was billed as the game that might decide everything, and it played out exactly like that. The intensity, the noise, the chaos – a perfect advert for why we’re obsessed with soccer games.
City drew first blood. On 18 minutes, Kevin De Bruyne sliced Liverpool open with one of those trademark passes, and you just knew what was coming. Erling Haaland shrugged off his marker and buried a low left-footed finish into the far corner. 1–0 City, the away end bouncing, and Haaland doing that ice-cold celebration right in front of the Kop.
Liverpool didn’t fold. On 34 minutes, Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a vicious cross, Darwin Núñez rose highest, and his header forced a top save from Ederson – but the rebound fell kindly to Mohamed Salah, who smashed home from close range. 1–1, Anfield absolutely roaring, Salah pointing to the badge like, "We’re not done".
After the break, the game went into pure madness mode. City thought they'd gone back in front on 56 minutes when Phil Foden curled a gorgeous shot into the top corner after a slick one-two with Bernardo Silva. The celebrations were wild… until VAR got involved. A tight offside in the buildup on Julián Álvarez chalked it off. The away fans were fuming, Guardiola staring at the big screen in disbelief.
Salah vs Haaland – Superstars under the spotlight
Both headline acts turned up. Haaland wasn’t just a finisher tonight; he bullied the back line, linked play, pressed like crazy. He could easily have had another on 63 minutes when he latched onto a Rodri chipped pass and forced Alisson into a huge one-on-one save.
Salah, meanwhile, was just ruthless. On 71 minutes he produced the moment of the night: Alexis Mac Allister slid a clever ball in behind, Salah chopped inside Nathan Aké and bent a beautiful left-footed curler into the far corner. 2–1 Liverpool, absolute scenes, Jürgen Klopp sprinting down the touchline like it was a cup final.
But City don’t die easily. With Liverpool tiring and the clock ticking into the 89th minute, De Bruyne stepped up again. A deep free-kick, mayhem in the box, and substitute Rúben Dias stayed forward just long enough to bundle the ball over the line from close range. 2–2, gut punch for the home crowd, and a huge roar from Guardiola as he fist-pumped the City fans.
VAR controversy and a late penalty shout
Just when you thought it was done, we got pure chaos. In stoppage time, Liverpool screamed for a penalty as Darwin Núñez went down under contact from John Stones inside the area. The referee waved play on, VAR did the check, and the on-field decision stood. The Kop lost it, Núñez was booked for dissent, and your X/Twitter feed probably turned into a war zone instantly.
Heroes and flops? For Liverpool, Salah was world-class – two ruthless finishes, constant threat, and big-game energy all night. Núñez ran himself into the ground but lacked that killer edge. Alexander-Arnold was electric going forward but had some shaky defensive moments that City almost punished. For City, Haaland and De Bruyne were the heartbeat: one scoring, one creating, constantly pulling Liverpool around. At the back, though, they didn’t look fully in control – Ederson saved them more than once.
What this insane draw means for the title race
That late City equaliser might be absolutely massive in a few weeks. Liverpool had one foot on a statement win that would have pushed them clear at the top. Instead, they stay just a single point ahead of City, with Arsenal lurking right behind in third after their own gritty win earlier today.
City will walk away feeling like it’s a point gained, not two dropped – surviving Anfield, coming back twice, and keeping the pressure on. Liverpool, though, will know they let a golden chance slip. Salah did his job, the crowd did theirs, but those last few minutes may haunt them.
What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings
Elsewhere in Europe: Bellingham and Mbappé keep shining
Over in La Liga, Jude Bellingham added another goal to his ridiculous Real Madrid tally, gliding into the box to finish a low cross as Real beat a stubborn mid-table opponent 2–0. It wasn't a wild scoreline, but Bellingham once again looked like the main man – constant energy, beautiful touches, and the confidence of a player who knows the Bernabéu is his stage.
In Ligue 1, Kylian Mbappé did exactly what you expect: scored twice in a 3–1 PSG win. One was a trademark burst in behind and cool finish, the other a thunderous penalty into the top corner. Defences know what’s coming and still can’t stop him. No drama there, just dominance – but you know every Champions League news cycle is already buzzing about what those performances mean for the next knockout round.
Social Media Spotlight – VAR rage and late drama everywhere
If you jump online right now, it’s wall-to-wall reaction from Anfield. The big talking point? That stoppage-time penalty shout on Núñez. Some angles make it look like clear contact from Stones, others show Núñez going down a little too eagerly. Perfect fuel for fan chaos.
The Internet is Exploding: 3 Social Media Highlights
X Discussion: Fans going off over the late Liverpool penalty shout and VAR's decision
My take: This felt like a title decider in disguise
Honestly, this didn’t feel like just another league game – it felt like May in February. The tempo, the pressure on every touch, the way both benches lived every decision. From where I’m sitting, Liverpool will be more upset. At 2–1 up, with Salah flying and Anfield rocking, they had City hanging on. You can’t switch off at set pieces against a De Bruyne delivery, and they did.
For City, this is exactly why they’re always in the title conversation. Even on a night where their defence looked shaky and Haaland wasn’t at his deadliest, they still found a way to claw out a result in a brutal away ground. That’s what champions do.
As for the managers? Klopp’s touchline explosion at full-time said it all – frustration, pride, and maybe a bit of fear that those two dropped points will come back to bite. Guardiola, meanwhile, will act calm, but he knows they escaped.
So what now?
You refresh the table, that’s what. The Premier League live race is absolutely unhinged: Liverpool clinging onto top spot, City breathing down their necks, Arsenal scheming just behind. Every tiny detail matters now – every missed chance, every VAR call, every late goal like Dias' equaliser tonight.
Check full stats & standings now
Editorial Note: This article is for entertainment and information purposes regarding current sports events. Sports betting and financial investments carry risks. Please gamble responsibly. Always check odds and terms with the provider.
Rätst du noch bei deiner Aktienauswahl oder investierst du schon nach einem profitablen System?
Ein Depot ohne klare Strategie ist im aktuellen Börsenumfeld ein unkalkulierbares Risiko. Überlass deine finanzielle Zukunft nicht länger dem Zufall oder einem vagen Bauchgefühl. Der Börsenbrief 'trading-notes' nimmt dir die komplexe Analysearbeit ab und liefert dir konkrete, überprüfte Top-Chancen. Mach Schluss mit dem Rätselraten und melde dich jetzt für 100% kostenloses Expertenwissen an.
Jetzt abonnieren .
