Haaland Breaks Anfield Curse as Manchester City Complete Historic League Double Over Liverpool

An enthralling night at Anfield ended in historic fashion as Manchester City claimed their first league double over Liverpool FC in 89 years. A dramatic stoppage-time penalty from Erling Haaland sealed the victory, closing the gap on league leaders Arsenal to six points and finally ending the Norwegian’s long wait for a goal at Anfield.

City started the opening exchanges with intent, coming within 90 seconds of breaking the deadlock. Bernardo Silva’s delicate ball over the top released Haaland, but Alisson Becker rushed off his line to deny the striker. Liverpool responded with aggressive pressing from Hugo Ekitike, unsettling City’s defensive pairing of Marc Guéhi and Abdukodir Khusanov, though the Reds struggled to turn that pressure into clear chances.

City continued to threaten through Haaland and Omar Marmoush, who twice found himself in promising positions. Marmoush dragged one effort wide after being played through by Haaland, while Liverpool’s best opening of the half arrived in the 26th minute when Alexis Mac Allister found Mohamed Salah on the edge of the box, only for Guéhi to block the Egyptian’s effort. Despite City’s dominance, the first half ended goalless, with Liverpool registering just one shot on target.

The hosts emerged with renewed energy after the break, dominating the opening stages of the second half. Anfield came alive as end-to-end action followed, with City threatening through Antoine Semenyo before Alisson’s long distribution sparked a quick Liverpool move involving Ekitike and Salah. Salah’s sublime trivela pass released the French forward, but his header drifted narrowly wide.

Liverpool’s pressure finally told in the 75th minute. Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to deliver a stunning free-kick that curled in off the post, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma rooted to the spot. The goal lifted the stadium, but it also shifted the momentum.

City responded with composure. Ten minutes later, Bernardo Silva equalised, finishing from close range after Haaland rose above Ibrahima Konaté to nod the ball into his path.

As the match entered stoppage time, City were handed a golden opportunity to complete the turnaround when Alisson brought down Matheus Nunes inside the box following a slick move involving Rayan Cherki.

Haaland made no mistake from the spot, calmly converting to score his first ever goal at Anfield and sending the travelling supporters into raptures.

Liverpool pushed desperately for a response, with Alexis Mac Allister forcing a fine save from Donnarumma, but the drama was not over.

In the dying moments, Szoboszlai was shown a red card after a tussle with Haaland during another City attack. Although a potential third City goal was ruled out following a VAR review, the dismissal summed up Liverpool’s frustration as City held on.

The result leaves Guardiola’s side six points behind Arsenal ahead of their midweek clash with Fulham. For Liverpool, an eighth league defeat of the season leaves them five points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United as their pursuit of Champions League qualification continues.