LIVERPOOL: Manchester City moved closer to Premier League leaders Arsenal after Erling Haaland stoppage-time penalty earned a 2-1 victory at Liverpool on Sunday, keeping the title race alive.
Haaland’s penalty saves Manchester City in the title race! Their 3-1 win over Liverpool! Absolutely BONKERS 2nd half between these two pic.twitter.com/gfPBinKTqP
— Pitch Picks (@PitchPickss) February 8, 2026
The Norwegian striker’s 21st league goal of the season capped a thrilling comeback after Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning 74th-minute free kick had put Liverpool ahead. Bernardo Silva equalised late before Haaland converted a penalty in stoppage time, following a foul on Matheus Nunes.
Read More: Liverpool lose at Forest, Haaland hits double for Manchester City
City, who had been nine points behind Arsenal, now trail by six, while Liverpool slipped to sixth, 11 points adrift. Szoboszlai also saw red for denying Haaland a goal-scoring opportunity in the chaotic finale.
The visitors dominated early possession, with Haaland nearly scoring in the second minute before Alisson blocked his effort. Liverpool’s January signing Marc Guehi received boos from the home crowd but maintained composure, thwarting Salah and Hugo Ekitike as Liverpool struggled to create chances in the first half. Salah appealed for a penalty late in the opening period, but neither the referee nor VAR awarded a foul.
Liverpool improved after the break, with Szoboszlai firing four shots in 11 minutes before his curling free kick beat Donnarumma to give the hosts the lead. City responded quickly, with Silva heading in a cross from Haaland to level the score.
The decisive moment came in stoppage time when Haaland calmly converted a penalty after Nunes was fouled by Alisson. A late VAR review disallowed a bizarre goal by Rayan Cherki from the halfway line, while Szoboszlai was shown a second yellow for tugging Haaland’s shirt.
Read More: No Haaland, no problem as Manchester City thrash Liverpool 4-1 to
Elsewhere, Brentford climbed to seventh with a late 3-2 victory over Newcastle, thanks to an 85th-minute strike from Dango Ouattara.
The results keep Manchester City in the hunt for the Premier League title, while Liverpool face mounting pressure to regain form in the closing stages of the season.