A pivotal Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester City concluded with a late surge from the visitors, resulting in a 2-1 victory for Manchester City. The match, held at Anfield, saw significant shifts in momentum, culminating in decisive actions during stoppage time that appeared to alter the trajectory of the title race.
Match Progression and Key Moments
The encounter unfolded with Liverpool taking a 1-0 lead in the 74th minute through a goal by Dominik Szoboszlai. This advantage was short-lived, as Manchester City leveled the score in the 84th minute with a strike from Bernardo Silva. The defining moments of the match occurred deep into added time.
Szoboszlai's Opening Goal: Szoboszlai's goal, described as an "outrageous goal" and a "rocket of the post," put Liverpool ahead.
Bernardo Silva's Equalizer: Silva's goal, appearing "out of nothing," brought Manchester City back into the contest.
Stoppage-Time Events: The final minutes of the match were characterized by intense action, including a penalty awarded to Manchester City and a red card for Szoboszlai.
Circumstantial Evidence of Late Match Decisions
Reports indicate that the closing stages of the match were marked by contentious decisions.
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Penalty Awarded to Manchester City: Manchester City was awarded a penalty in stoppage time. Was this penalty the direct result of a foul by Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker on Matheus Nunes, as suggested by some accounts?
Szoboszlai's Red Card: Dominik Szoboszlai was shown a red card, leading to a free-kick for Manchester City. Did this foul occur during a Dogso (Denial of Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity) incident on Erling Haaland, as one report posits?
Turning Point: The Penalty and Late Goals
The match's outcome appears to have been fundamentally shaped by events in the latter stages of the second half and into injury time.
Manchester City's Comeback
Haaland's Role: Erling Haaland was instrumental in Manchester City's comeback, not only assisting Bernardo Silva's equalizer but also scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot.
Penalty Conversion: Haaland converted the penalty in the 90+4th minute according to one report, or the 90+7th minute according to another. This late conversion is frequently cited as the winning goal.
Liverpool's Perspective on Late Calls
Liverpool players and management expressed their views on the late decisions. One report mentions that Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson celebrated "wildly," suggesting a significant emotional impact of the late turnaround. The summary of another article notes that Liverpool players "rue penalty call," indicating a perceived injustice or disagreement with the officiating.
Analysis of Key Actors
The performances and actions of specific players proved crucial in the match's outcome.
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| Player | Team | Key Action(s) | Stoppage Time Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominik Szoboszlai | Liverpool | Scored Liverpool's opening goal (74') | Received a red card in stoppage time, leading to a free-kick for City. |
| Bernardo Silva | Manchester City | Scored the equalizer (84') | Was directly involved in a match that saw City secure three points late. |
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City | Assisted Bernardo Silva's goal, scored winning penalty | Converted the penalty in stoppage time, effectively securing the victory for City. |
| Alisson Becker | Liverpool | Goalkeeper | Allegedly fouled Matheus Nunes, leading to the penalty award for Manchester City. |
| Matheus Nunes | Manchester City | Involved in an incident with Alisson Becker | The foul on him, if confirmed, directly led to the pivotal penalty kick. |
Implications and Future Considerations
The 2-1 victory for Manchester City has significant implications for the Premier League standings. One report highlights that Manchester City moves six points ahead of Arsenal, underscoring the championship race's intensity. Conversely, the loss represents a "sobering night for Liverpool," with one pundit suggesting it could mean "crisis time" for their title aspirations. The red card for Szoboszlai also means he will be suspended for future matches, a direct consequence of his late foul.
Sources Used
The Guardian: "Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City: Premier League – live reaction" (Published 18 hours ago). Provides a minute-by-minute account and key goal timings.
Link:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/feb/08/liverpool-v-manchester-city-liveThe New York Times (via The Athletic): "Manchester City go six points off Arsenal after beating Liverpool despite late drama: Live updates and reaction" (Seen on AOL). Details the score, timings, and broader league context.
Link:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/liverpool-vs-manchester-city-live-updates-premier-league-score-result/3I23E8x5PczK/Liverpool Echo: "Liverpool vs Man City LIVE - score, goals, commentary stream" (Published 18 hours ago). Reports on the penalty incident and Haaland's decisive goal.
Link:
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-man-city-live-stream-33385296The Standard: "Liverpool vs Man City LIVE: Latest score and updates from Premier League" (Seen on AOL). Confirms the final score and goal scorers, focusing on the stoppage-time drama.
Link:
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-fc-vs-man-city-live-stream-latest-score-updates-result-premier-league-b1270110.html?page=2Timesnownews.com: "Liverpool vs Manchester City Live Score, Premier League 2026: LIV 1-2 MCI | Haaland Penalty and Latest Updates and Goal Alerts" (Published 22 minutes ago). Provides concise score updates with timings for key events.
Link:
https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/liverpool-vs-manchester-city-live-score-premier-league-2026-football-streaming-scores-updates-commentary-liveblog-153581588Al Jazeera: "LIVE: Liverpool vs Manchester City – Premier League" (Published 18 hours ago). Sets the scene for the match and its importance in the title race.
Link:
https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/liveblog/2026/2/8/live-liverpool-vs-manchester-city-premier-leagueNBC Sports: "Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City: Haaland rallies City in stoppage time as Reds rue penalty call" (Published 18 hours ago). Offers a detailed breakdown of goals, penalties, and the red card incident.
Link:
https://www.nbcsports.com/soccer/news/liverpool-vs-manchester-city-live-updates-score-highlights-stats-watchDaily Mail: "Man City vs Liverpool - Premier League RECAP: Latest score and updates" (Published Nov 9, 2025). Although dated from November 2025, this source appears to reference a previous match between these two teams, as the scorelines and events described (e.g., Man City 2-0 Liverpool, Haaland scoring) do not align with the February 2026 match detailed in other sources. Therefore, this source was used primarily to identify potential historical context but was excluded from direct factual reporting of the February 2026 match.
Link:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15266225/Manchester-City-vs-Liverpool-Premier-League-2025-26-LIVE-Result.htmlThe Independent: "Liverpool v Manchester City live: Result and final score from Premier League clash" (Published 2 hours ago). Verified as a live blog reporting on the match.
Link:
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-man-city-live-score-result-premier-league-b2914738.html
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