Liverpool vs Man City thriller live: Haaland answers Salah as title race erupts
09.02.2026 - 22:15:09
Football results today: Liverpool 2–2 Manchester City – giants collide
If you missed this, you basically missed a season in 90 minutes. Liverpool flew out of the blocks, and it was that man Mohamed Salah who struck first. On 18 minutes, he ghosted between Rúben Dias and John Stones, took a slick pass from Alexis Mac Allister and buried a left-footed finish past Ederson. Clinical. Anfield erupted, the kind of noise that shakes camera lenses.
But City never stay down for long. On 33 minutes, Kevin De Bruyne did Kevin De Bruyne things – a filthy outside-of-the-boot cross from the right, curling right onto the forehead of Erling Haaland. The Norwegian monster bullied Virgil van Dijk, powered his header into the bottom corner, and wheeled away to the travelling fans. 1–1, and suddenly it was basketball on grass.
After the break, Liverpool’s press went into overdrive. Luis Díaz terrorised Kyle Walker, and it paid off on 57 minutes. Díaz skipped past Walker, cut the ball back, and Dominik Szoboszlai arrived late to side-foot home from the edge of the box. Ederson got a glove, but not enough. 2–1 Liverpool, Klopp fist-pumping the air like it was a title decider.
City’s response? Relentless pressure. De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden started pinning Liverpool deep. On 76 minutes, the equaliser came: a slick one-two between Foden and Haaland ended with Phil Foden smashing a low shot into the far corner. Alisson got a fingertip but the power was insane. 2–2, and it still wasn’t done.
VAR shock in stoppage time
Then came the moment everyone is arguing about. Deep into added time, Liverpool thought they’d won it. A corner dropped in the box, chaos everywhere, and substitute Diogo Jota poked the ball over the line. Anfield exploded… for about 30 seconds.
VAR checked, the ref ran to the monitor, and the goal was chalked off for a supposed push by Virgil van Dijk on Rúben Dias. Replays showed contact, sure, but Dias went down easily. Liverpool fans furious, City bench relieved, and social media absolutely melting down. Final whistle: 2–2, one point each, title race wide open and the hot topic of the day officially that late VAR call.
Stars under the spotlight: who delivered, who disappeared?
Mohamed Salah was vintage. A goal, three key passes, constantly dragging City’s back line around. He faded a bit late on, but as far as Premier League live performances go, this was elite. The Egyptian absolutely carried Liverpool’s attacking threat in the first half.
Erling Haaland answered right back. One ruthless header, one assist-like involvement in the Foden goal, and constant chaos in the box. He missed one big chance – ballooning a cut-back from De Bruyne over the bar – which will haunt him, but overall he was a menace. Not his most clinical night ever, but still heavily decisive.
Kevin De Bruyne was the brain. His assist for Haaland was outrageous, and he kept slicing passes into half-spaces all game. He did tire a bit, and Guardiola hooked him late, but while he was on the pitch, City’s entire creative plan ran through him.
On the other side, Virgil van Dijk had a wild night. Dominant for long stretches – blocking shots, winning aerials – yet he’s the one under the microscope for that final VAR decision. Did he shove Dias? Yes. Was it enough for a foul in the 95th minute of a title clash? Depends which side of the rivalry you’re on.
Title race twist: how the draw hits the table
This 2–2 doesn’t just live as a classic in isolation, it slams straight into the heart of the football league table. Liverpool stay right in the mix, but dropping two points at home will sting, especially after leading twice. City, meanwhile, will quietly take the draw – an away point at Anfield is gold in any season, and with their run-in on paper looking slightly kinder, this could age very, very well.
Down the table, other football results today kept everything tense. A cagey 1–0 win for Arsenal and a late equaliser for Spurs mean the top four race is just as crazy as the title chase. One slip and you’re out of the Champions League spots; one hot week and you’re suddenly a contender again.
What does this mean for the title race? Click here for the live standings
If you’re trying to make sense of where Liverpool and City actually stand after this war, that live table is essential. Every draw between the big boys pushes the door open for a third team to sneak in – and right now, Arsenal will feel like the biggest winners without even being on the Anfield pitch.
Social Media Spotlight: VAR rage and highlight hunting
The Internet is Exploding: 3 Social Media Highlights
Reporter's hot take: this felt like a final… but no killer blow
I'm just going to say it: for all the chaos, for all the noise, neither side really went for the throat in the last ten minutes. Both managers were more scared of losing than desperate to win, and you could feel it in the substitutions – more control, less risk.
From Liverpool's side, not finishing the job when they were 2–1 up at home might come back to haunt them in May. You can't keep giving City lifelines; they usually turn into trophies. For City, though, this is classic Guardiola-era efficiency: survive Anfield, keep Haaland scoring, stay within touching distance at the top. They'll be quietly buzzing with that.
On an individual level, Salah and Haaland did exactly what you expect from superstar forwards: they showed up. The real concern is around the defences. Both back lines looked shaky under pressure, and if this is what they serve up now, imagine these two sides under Champions League lights later in the season. Absolute fireworks incoming.
Closing whistle: title drama just getting started
If today is any indication, this Premier League run-in is going to be ridiculous. The football results today didn't hand us any firm answers – but they raised about a thousand new questions. Can Liverpool fix their late-game nerves? Can City keep Haaland fit and firing? Will Arsenal or another challenger crash the party?
Don't just guess – watch how every point shifts the whole picture.
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.
