Liverpool vs Man City goes wild: Haaland, Salah & title race chaos Live
10.02.2026 - 15:18:10
Kick-off! As of today, 2026-02-10, the pitch is on fire... You wanted soccer games with maximum chaos? You got it. All eyes were on Anfield where Liverpool and Manchester City ripped into each other in a Premier League classic that shook up the title race and set social media on absolute meltdown.
The Premier League served up pure drama: Erling Haaland smashed in again, Mohamed Salah responded like a king of the Kop, and a late VAR decision had everyone screaming at their screens. Across Europe, the Champions League contenders were also flexing, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain tuning up in style and reminding everyone why February is the best time to be a football addict.
City drew first blood. In the 19th minute, Kevin De Bruyne slid a filthy through ball between the lines, and of course it was Erling Haaland who bullied his marker, opened his body and drilled a low left?footer into the far corner. Classic Haaland: minimal touches, maximum damage.
Liverpool’s response was all about Anfield energy. On 33 minutes, Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a vicious cross, Darwin Núñez attacked the near post and flicked a glancing header past Ederson to make it 1-1. Núñez’s movement had City’s back line on strings all half.
Second half, the stars really took over. City went 2-1 up when Bernardo Silva ghosted into the half?space and clipped a delicious ball to the back stick, where Phil Foden arrived unmarked to volley home in the 61st minute. Liverpool fans were furious at how easy Foden drifted off the shoulder, but you’ve got to credit the timing and finish – pure class.
Then came the moment every neutral was waiting for: Mohamed Salah time. In the 78th minute, a quick transition saw Dominik Szoboszlai feed Salah on the right edge of the box. Salah cut inside onto that deadly left foot, sat Josko Gvardiol down, and bent a gorgeous curler into the far top corner. 2-2. Anfield exploded. Salah’s celebration – arms wide, cold stare into the cameras – felt like a message: he’s still one of the planet’s deadliest forwards.
On the other side, City ultras were convinced they’d been robbed earlier when Haaland had a potential second ruled out. In the 54th minute, he powered home a header from a De Bruyne free?kick, only for VAR to spot John Stones offside and interfering with Alisson. Technically correct, but it felt harsh to a lot of people watching live.
In Spain, Real Madrid kept their momentum rolling. Jude Bellingham once again stole the headlines, scoring the opener in a 3-1 win at the Bernabéu. He arrived late into the box to finish a cutback from Vinícius Júnior, then later slipped Vini through for Madrid’s third. Bellingham wasn’t just good; he dictated tempo and looked like the calmest player on the pitch. Definitely hero?mode activated.
Over in France, Paris Saint-Germain saw Kylian Mbappé back on the scoresheet. He bagged a brace in a 2-0 win – first a coolly dispatched penalty, then a blistering counterattack goal where he held off two defenders before slamming it across the keeper. Mbappé looked locked?in, tracking back more than usual and clearly sending a message ahead of the Champions League knockout rounds: he’s ready to torch anyone in his way.
Right now, the top of the table is ridiculously tight. Dropped points in a direct clash like this can swing the momentum towards whoever quietly keeps stacking wins below them. Arsenal, Spurs, maybe even a dark horse – they’re all watching that Anfield result like hawks.
Meanwhile, over on Instagram, Liverpool’s official account is already teasing post?match tunnel clips, Salah smiling with his Man of the Match award, and behind?the?scenes shots of the players heading back to the dressing room with that battered?but?proud vibe. City’s camp is posting cool?headed captions about “big point away at a tough ground” – but you can feel the frustration in the comments.
And on YouTube? Type in the match and your feed is getting nuked with instant highlight uploads, tactical breakdowns, and fan?cam reactions from outside Anfield with people still yelling about Dias vs Núñez in the box.
Pep Guardiola will be fuming they couldn’t slam the door shut at 2-1. With Haaland, Foden and De Bruyne on the pitch, you expect City to freeze the game, not let it go chaotic again. Jürgen Klopp, on the flip side, will feel like the crowd and Salah dragged them back from the brink and that they deserved the decisive whistle in the box late on.
My blunt opinion? The ref got the Núñez penalty call right – there just wasn’t enough in it. But if you’re going to be that strict, you have to be surgically consistent all game, and that’s where fans are losing patience. When title races, Champions League spots and even manager jobs swing on one subjective replay, you’re always going to get this level of outrage.
The Premier League served up pure drama: Erling Haaland smashed in again, Mohamed Salah responded like a king of the Kop, and a late VAR decision had everyone screaming at their screens. Across Europe, the Champions League contenders were also flexing, with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain tuning up in style and reminding everyone why February is the best time to be a football addict.
Liverpool vs Manchester City – heavyweights trading haymakers
If you love high?tempo soccer games, this was your main event. At Anfield, Liverpool and Man City went end?to?end in a pulsating 2-2 draw that felt like a title decider audition rather than just another league fixture.City drew first blood. In the 19th minute, Kevin De Bruyne slid a filthy through ball between the lines, and of course it was Erling Haaland who bullied his marker, opened his body and drilled a low left?footer into the far corner. Classic Haaland: minimal touches, maximum damage.
Liverpool’s response was all about Anfield energy. On 33 minutes, Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a vicious cross, Darwin Núñez attacked the near post and flicked a glancing header past Ederson to make it 1-1. Núñez’s movement had City’s back line on strings all half.
Second half, the stars really took over. City went 2-1 up when Bernardo Silva ghosted into the half?space and clipped a delicious ball to the back stick, where Phil Foden arrived unmarked to volley home in the 61st minute. Liverpool fans were furious at how easy Foden drifted off the shoulder, but you’ve got to credit the timing and finish – pure class.
Then came the moment every neutral was waiting for: Mohamed Salah time. In the 78th minute, a quick transition saw Dominik Szoboszlai feed Salah on the right edge of the box. Salah cut inside onto that deadly left foot, sat Josko Gvardiol down, and bent a gorgeous curler into the far top corner. 2-2. Anfield exploded. Salah’s celebration – arms wide, cold stare into the cameras – felt like a message: he’s still one of the planet’s deadliest forwards.
VAR mayhem and late drama
But the real social media wildfire came in stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, Liverpool screamed for a penalty when Núñez went flying in the box after a tangle with Rúben Dias. Ref waved play on, VAR had a long look, and eventually backed the on?field decision. Replays showed Dias making minimal contact, Núñez going down theatrically – cue instant X/Twitter civil war.On the other side, City ultras were convinced they’d been robbed earlier when Haaland had a potential second ruled out. In the 54th minute, he powered home a header from a De Bruyne free?kick, only for VAR to spot John Stones offside and interfering with Alisson. Technically correct, but it felt harsh to a lot of people watching live.
Heroes and flops on the night
- Erling Haaland – Ruthless again. One goal, one chalked off, bullied Liverpool’s centre?backs all game. Not his most clinical night, but still a constant threat.
- Mohamed Salah – That equaliser was vintage Salah: balance, control, and a world?class finish. Liverpool’s standout attacker whenever he got the ball.
- Kevin De Bruyne – Ran City’s passing game in spells, but faded as Liverpool pressed higher and harder. Still, his assist to Haaland was pure genius.
- Darwin Núñez – Scored, worked like crazy, but his decision?making in the last third – including the late fall in the box – will divide opinion.
Elsewhere in Europe: Champions League giants tuning up
While Anfield was chaos, the Champions League narrative was bubbling nicely.In Spain, Real Madrid kept their momentum rolling. Jude Bellingham once again stole the headlines, scoring the opener in a 3-1 win at the Bernabéu. He arrived late into the box to finish a cutback from Vinícius Júnior, then later slipped Vini through for Madrid’s third. Bellingham wasn’t just good; he dictated tempo and looked like the calmest player on the pitch. Definitely hero?mode activated.
Over in France, Paris Saint-Germain saw Kylian Mbappé back on the scoresheet. He bagged a brace in a 2-0 win – first a coolly dispatched penalty, then a blistering counterattack goal where he held off two defenders before slamming it across the keeper. Mbappé looked locked?in, tracking back more than usual and clearly sending a message ahead of the Champions League knockout rounds: he’s ready to torch anyone in his way.
Title race context – where does this leave everyone?
That Liverpool vs Man City draw is massive for the Premier League narrative. City will be annoyed they didn’t close it out at 2-1, especially with Haaland and Foden both looking sharp. Liverpool, on the other hand, will claim they deserved more with that late penalty shout and Salah in killer form.Right now, the top of the table is ridiculously tight. Dropped points in a direct clash like this can swing the momentum towards whoever quietly keeps stacking wins below them. Arsenal, Spurs, maybe even a dark horse – they’re all watching that Anfield result like hawks.
What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings
Social Media Spotlight – the web loses its mind
The buzzword tonight: VAR. The hashtag #LIVMCI is absolutely flooded with freeze?frames of Núñez’s fall and Haaland’s disallowed header. Fans are drawing lines on screenshots like they’re doing geometry homework, arguing about “clear and obvious” until 3 AM.Meanwhile, over on Instagram, Liverpool’s official account is already teasing post?match tunnel clips, Salah smiling with his Man of the Match award, and behind?the?scenes shots of the players heading back to the dressing room with that battered?but?proud vibe. City’s camp is posting cool?headed captions about “big point away at a tough ground” – but you can feel the frustration in the comments.
And on YouTube? Type in the match and your feed is getting nuked with instant highlight uploads, tactical breakdowns, and fan?cam reactions from outside Anfield with people still yelling about Dias vs Núñez in the box.
The Internet is Exploding: 3 Social Media Highlights
X Discussion: Fans raging over the late VAR penalty call on Núñez
Reporter’s take – this felt like a Champions League night
From a pure football perspective, this Liverpool vs City clash was elite: top scorers today doing what they do, tactical tweaks every ten minutes, and the kind of intensity you normally get in a Champions League semi-final. But honestly, both managers will walk away annoyed.Pep Guardiola will be fuming they couldn’t slam the door shut at 2-1. With Haaland, Foden and De Bruyne on the pitch, you expect City to freeze the game, not let it go chaotic again. Jürgen Klopp, on the flip side, will feel like the crowd and Salah dragged them back from the brink and that they deserved the decisive whistle in the box late on.
My blunt opinion? The ref got the Núñez penalty call right – there just wasn’t enough in it. But if you’re going to be that strict, you have to be surgically consistent all game, and that’s where fans are losing patience. When title races, Champions League spots and even manager jobs swing on one subjective replay, you’re always going to get this level of outrage.
Closing whistle – we’re just getting started
So yeah, the top of the football league table just got a fresh twist. Haaland scores, Salah answers, VAR steals the spotlight, and the title race tightens another notch. If this is a preview of the Premier League and Champions League run?in, clear your schedule – we’re all locked in until May.Check full stats & standings now
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