In a season defined by relentless drama, Manchester City vs Liverpool 2026 will be remembered as the turning point. Pep Guardiola’s side secured a massive 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield this Sunday, courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty from Erling Haaland. The result narrows Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League to just six points, breathing new life into a title fight that looked destined for North London. For Liverpool, the defeat is a crushing blow to their top-four aspirations, leaving the defending champions languishing in sixth place.

Late Drama Reignites Premier League Title Race

The tension at Anfield was palpable as Manchester City arrived knowing anything less than a win would leave them eight points adrift of Arsenal. For 74 minutes, the match was a tactical stalemate, with City dominating possession but struggling to break down a resilient Liverpool defense marshaled by Virgil van Dijk. The deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion when Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed a swerving 30-yard free-kick that crashed off the post and past a helpless Gianluigi Donnarumma, sending the Kop into delirium.

But champions do not crumble. City responded with the ferocity that has defined their decade of dominance. Ten minutes after falling behind, Bernardo Silva leveled the score, sliding in to convert a header flicked on by Haaland. The momentum shifted entirely, culminating in the 93rd minute when Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker rashly brought down Matheus Nunes in the box. Erling Haaland stepped up, silenced the Anfield roar, and buried the penalty into the bottom corner to seal a vital three points.

VAR Chaos and Szoboszlai’s Red Card

The drama didn't end with Haaland's winner. In a chaotic finale that will dominate Premier League news today, City substitute Rayan Cherki appeared to have added a third goal, rolling the ball into an empty net from the halfway line after Alisson had gone forward for a corner. However, VAR intervened in a moment of confusion that saw the goal disallowed for a foul by Haaland in the build-up.

In the aftermath, Liverpool’s goalscorer Szoboszlai was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on Haaland during the breakaway, capping a miserable afternoon for the hosts. The scenes of Szoboszlai arguing with officials while Guardiola celebrated wildly on the touchline epitomized the high stakes of this Arsenal vs Man City title fight. For City, surviving this Anfield test—their first win in front of fans there since 2003—feels like a psychological checkmate in the wider title race.

Donnarumma’s Heroics Preserve the Win

While Haaland will grab the headlines, City’s victory was preserved by a world-class save from Gianluigi Donnarumma. Deep in stoppage time, the Italian goalkeeper produced a fingertip save to deny a deflected volley from Alexis Mac Allister that was destined for the top corner. It was a moment that underscored the importance of City’s defensive reinforcements this season, ensuring they left Merseyside with maximum points.

Updated Premier League Title Race Standings

The English Premier League table 2026 now paints a much tighter picture at the summit. Arsenal, who sit on 56 points, have seen their lead cut to six points with 13 games remaining. City’s victory moves them to 50 points, keeping the pressure firmly on the Gunners.

Current Top 4 Standings:

  • 1. Arsenal: 56 Points
  • 2. Manchester City: 50 Points
  • 3. Aston Villa: 47 Points
  • 4. Manchester United: 44 Points

For Arne Slot’s Liverpool, the situation is becoming dire. Stuck on 39 points in sixth place, they are now four points adrift of Chelsea in fifth and five points behind Manchester United in the race for Champions League football. With the Liverpool vs Man City highlights showing defensive frailty late in games—they have now conceded four 90th-minute winners this season—questions will inevitably be asked about their ability to salvage the campaign.

What This Means for the Run-In

This result shifts the psychological momentum back to Manchester City. Having completed a league double over Liverpool for the first time since 1937, Guardiola’s men have cleared one of their toughest remaining hurdles. Arsenal, meanwhile, must now look over their shoulders, knowing that the reigning champions have found their rhythm at the most critical time of the year.

With Haaland rediscovering his clutch gene and key players like Bernardo Silva stepping up, the 2026 title race is far from over. As the league heads into the final third, every point will be contested with the intensity witnessed at Anfield this Sunday.