Liverpool vs Man City LIVE thriller: Salah & Haaland ignite title race
25.01.2026 - 12:41:59
Kick-off! As of today, 2026-01-25, the pitch is on fire... Did you see that Liverpool vs Manchester City showdown at Anfield? If you love soccer games with chaos, drama and superstar fireworks, this one was your late?January blockbuster. Goals, controversy, big names delivering under the lights – this was everything the Premier League promised and then some.
The match ended 3-2 to Liverpool in a breathless classic. Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, and a last-gasp hero sent the title race into overdrive, and across Europe the Champions League contenders were also flexing their muscles. Strap in – were diving deep into all the madness from today.
But Liverpool refused to blink. On 32 minutes, they hit back. Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a vicious cross from the right, Darwin Núñez crashed a header off the bar, and who was there sniffing around the rebound? Mohamed Salah, of course. One touch, smashed in from close range. Salah 1-1, Anfield explodes, and suddenly City looked rattled.
Just before half-time, we got our first huge flashpoint. City thought they had a second when Phil Foden volleyed home after a scramble, but VAR stepped in. The check ran for what felt like forever, and in the end the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside on Bernardo Silva in the build-up. City fans are melting down online, screaming that the lines were "too thick" and the angle was off. VAR drama: absolutely guaranteed hot topic.
City responded like champions. Ten minutes later, in the 68th minute, De Bruyne floated in a devilish free-kick, and Rúben Dias powered a header in off the underside of the bar. Dias 2-2. Alisson got fingertips to it but not enough. At that point, it felt like the game could finish 4-4, the way both teams were trading blows.
Haaland had his big chance to turn hero again. In the 77th minute, he peeled off Ibrahima Konaté, latched onto a Foden cutback and smashed a shot that looked destined for the corner – only for Alisson to produce a monster save, one of those reaction stops youll see on highlight reels all week. Haaland was dangerous, he scored, he bullied defenders, but that miss – and Alissons brilliance – is exactly what people are arguing about right now.
Then came the killer twist. 89th minute. Anfield tense, everyone bracing for a draw. Liverpool whipped in a corner, City half-cleared, and the ball dropped on the edge of the box to Dominik Szoboszlai. He took one touch to set, then unleashed an absolute rocket into the top-right corner. Szoboszlai 3-2. A screamer. Net ripples, stadium erupts, Klopp sprints down the touchline like its his last dance. Youre not stopping that with two keepers.
Erling Haaland wasnt bad by any stretch – he scored, he battered centre-backs, and he was always the main threat. But hell know he could have walked away with two or three. That late one-on-one denied by Alisson is going to haunt the highlight reels, and its feeding the online debate: "Is he cold in the biggest moments?" The numbers still say no, but the noise is LOUD tonight.
Kevin De Bruyne quietly had a masterclass of his own – an assist, constantly slipping lines, setting the tempo – but with City losing, the spotlight tilts away from him. For Liverpool, Alisson and Szoboszlai are the unsung heroes. Alissons saves kept them alive, Szoboszlai delivered the kill shot. And Trent Alexander-Arnold? Not perfect defensively, but his passing into midfield and that first-half assist set the tone for Liverpools front-foot football.
In terms of momentum, Liverpool grab a huge psychological edge. Beating City in this kind of high-stakes, high-quality match is the sort of moment that can define a season. City remain very much in the hunt, their goal difference is still monstrous, and Haaland is still scoring for fun – but the gap and the pressure just shifted.
In the Bundesliga, Kylian Mbappé continued his goal-scoring spree for his new club Bayern, smashing home a penalty and adding a solo effort where he burned two defenders for pace before slotting under the keeper. Mbappé 2 goals, walking highlight reel mode as usual. With form like this, you just know the Champions League knockouts are going to be about which side can handle these superstars when the pressure peaks.
Heres where the online chaos is hottest right now:
If you dive into the hashtag, youll see slowed-down clips of the offside lines, freeze-frames of little shirt tugs, and fans doing full tactical breakdowns from their couch. On Instagram, Liverpools players are already posting locker room selfies, while Citys comments section is full of "we go again" and "Haaland will respond" energy.
For me, the standout isnt just Salahs finishing, its Liverpools mentality. They got punched early by Haaland, saw a possible 1-2 swing with the disallowed Foden goal, and still drove forward. Thats title-winning mentality stuff. City will absolutely bounce back – they always do – but tonight, they looked human. Haaland scored but also looked frustrated. De Bruyne carried them but didnt get the result. Its not meltdown territory, but its definitely "wake-up call" vibes.
If the managers are under the microscope, Id say Pep Guardiola might regret not tightening the midfield once it went 2-2. Klopp, meanwhile, pushed every emotional button at the right time – the subs, the energy on the touchline, the whole "feel" of Anfield as a pressure cooker. Absolute world-class man-management from him tonight.
If youre trying to figure out who really has the edge after this chaos, the answer is simple: check the numbers, the goal differences, and the head-to-heads. The standings tell a brutal, honest story.
The match ended 3-2 to Liverpool in a breathless classic. Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, and a last-gasp hero sent the title race into overdrive, and across Europe the Champions League contenders were also flexing their muscles. Strap in – were diving deep into all the madness from today.
Premier League fire: Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City – pure chaos at Anfield
From the first whistle, you could feel it: this wasnt just another league game, this was a statement night. Manchester City struck first, because of course they did. In the 17th minute, Kevin De Bruyne slid a trademark through ball into the box, Erling Haaland bullied his marker, took one touch and lashed a low finish into the bottom corner. Haaland 0-1But Liverpool refused to blink. On 32 minutes, they hit back. Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped in a vicious cross from the right, Darwin Núñez crashed a header off the bar, and who was there sniffing around the rebound? Mohamed Salah, of course. One touch, smashed in from close range. Salah 1-1, Anfield explodes, and suddenly City looked rattled.
Just before half-time, we got our first huge flashpoint. City thought they had a second when Phil Foden volleyed home after a scramble, but VAR stepped in. The check ran for what felt like forever, and in the end the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside on Bernardo Silva in the build-up. City fans are melting down online, screaming that the lines were "too thick" and the angle was off. VAR drama: absolutely guaranteed hot topic.
Second-half madness: Salah vs Haaland, then a late, late twist
The second half turned into a shootout between megastars. On 58 minutes, Liverpool flipped the script with a vintage Anfield break. Alexis Mac Allister stole the ball in midfield, slipped a pass to Núñez, and Núñez squared across goal for Salah again. One touch out of his feet, curled inside the far post. Salah 2-1, a cool finish and a massive roar from the Kop.City responded like champions. Ten minutes later, in the 68th minute, De Bruyne floated in a devilish free-kick, and Rúben Dias powered a header in off the underside of the bar. Dias 2-2. Alisson got fingertips to it but not enough. At that point, it felt like the game could finish 4-4, the way both teams were trading blows.
Haaland had his big chance to turn hero again. In the 77th minute, he peeled off Ibrahima Konaté, latched onto a Foden cutback and smashed a shot that looked destined for the corner – only for Alisson to produce a monster save, one of those reaction stops youll see on highlight reels all week. Haaland was dangerous, he scored, he bullied defenders, but that miss – and Alissons brilliance – is exactly what people are arguing about right now.
Then came the killer twist. 89th minute. Anfield tense, everyone bracing for a draw. Liverpool whipped in a corner, City half-cleared, and the ball dropped on the edge of the box to Dominik Szoboszlai. He took one touch to set, then unleashed an absolute rocket into the top-right corner. Szoboszlai 3-2. A screamer. Net ripples, stadium erupts, Klopp sprints down the touchline like its his last dance. Youre not stopping that with two keepers.
Heroes & flops: how the stars delivered
Mohamed Salah was pure big-game magic again: two goals, constant movement, dragging defenders wide, dropping into pockets and linking play. When you talk about the best in the world, this is the kind of night that keeps Salahs name in neon lights.Erling Haaland wasnt bad by any stretch – he scored, he battered centre-backs, and he was always the main threat. But hell know he could have walked away with two or three. That late one-on-one denied by Alisson is going to haunt the highlight reels, and its feeding the online debate: "Is he cold in the biggest moments?" The numbers still say no, but the noise is LOUD tonight.
Kevin De Bruyne quietly had a masterclass of his own – an assist, constantly slipping lines, setting the tempo – but with City losing, the spotlight tilts away from him. For Liverpool, Alisson and Szoboszlai are the unsung heroes. Alissons saves kept them alive, Szoboszlai delivered the kill shot. And Trent Alexander-Arnold? Not perfect defensively, but his passing into midfield and that first-half assist set the tone for Liverpools front-foot football.
Title race shockwaves: how the table looks now
With this win, Liverpool jump back above City and crank up the pressure at the top of the football league table. City drop crucial points in a direct head-to-head, and suddenly every single weekend in the Premier League live schedule feels like a final. Arsenal, Spurs, and the rest are watching this result and thinking: "We still have a shot if these two keep cutting each other open."In terms of momentum, Liverpool grab a huge psychological edge. Beating City in this kind of high-stakes, high-quality match is the sort of moment that can define a season. City remain very much in the hunt, their goal difference is still monstrous, and Haaland is still scoring for fun – but the gap and the pressure just shifted.
What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings
Across Europe: Champions League chasers flex
Elsewhere in Europe, the Champions League news is all about rhythm and form. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich both kept their domestic pushes on track today. In La Liga, Jude Bellingham was once again in the thick of it for Real Madrid, pulling strings in midfield and arriving late in the box like a second striker. He didnt get on the scoresheet this time, but his off-ball movement and ball-carrying opened lanes for teammates to score. Think "pre-assist" king.In the Bundesliga, Kylian Mbappé continued his goal-scoring spree for his new club Bayern, smashing home a penalty and adding a solo effort where he burned two defenders for pace before slotting under the keeper. Mbappé 2 goals, walking highlight reel mode as usual. With form like this, you just know the Champions League knockouts are going to be about which side can handle these superstars when the pressure peaks.
Social Media Spotlight: fans losing their minds
The internet went absolutely nuclear over that Liverpool vs Man City finish. The trending hashtag is #LIVMCI, and the main argument is all about the VAR decision on Fodens disallowed goal and whether Dias was fouled in the box late on. Some fans are calling it "Anfield tax" on refereeing, others say things finally balanced out after earlier calls.Heres where the online chaos is hottest right now:
The Internet is Exploding: 3 Social Media Highlights
X Discussion: Fans furious over that VAR offside and late penalty shout
Reporters take: this felt like a title decider in January
Heres my honest view: this felt bigger than just three points. Tactically, Liverpool took more risks, played with more emotion, and got rewarded for it. City were a little too controlled, almost cold at times, like they expected the game to bend to them eventually. When you leave a game this open at Anfield, with that crowd and that intensity, its a gamble.For me, the standout isnt just Salahs finishing, its Liverpools mentality. They got punched early by Haaland, saw a possible 1-2 swing with the disallowed Foden goal, and still drove forward. Thats title-winning mentality stuff. City will absolutely bounce back – they always do – but tonight, they looked human. Haaland scored but also looked frustrated. De Bruyne carried them but didnt get the result. Its not meltdown territory, but its definitely "wake-up call" vibes.
If the managers are under the microscope, Id say Pep Guardiola might regret not tightening the midfield once it went 2-2. Klopp, meanwhile, pushed every emotional button at the right time – the subs, the energy on the touchline, the whole "feel" of Anfield as a pressure cooker. Absolute world-class man-management from him tonight.
Final whistle: title race wide open
So where does that leave us? Liverpool with a massive statement win, City with a painful reminder that small margins matter, and the rest of Europe watching this and thinking about what happens when these sides collide again in the Champions League. The top of the football league table is tight, the top scorers today are still racking up numbers, and every single weekend now feels like a mini-final.If youre trying to figure out who really has the edge after this chaos, the answer is simple: check the numbers, the goal differences, and the head-to-heads. The standings tell a brutal, honest story.
Check full stats & standings now
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