Anfield witnessed a seismic clash on February 8, 2026, as Manchester City secured a 2-1 victory against Liverpool, marking their first win at the ground with fans since 2003 and igniting the Premier League title race. The match was filled with drama, controversial decisions, and moments of brilliance, leaving fans and pundits alike dissecting every key incident.

The victory was crucial for City, who trailed Arsenal by nine points before the match. With the win, they narrowed the gap to six points, breathing new life into their title aspirations. For Liverpool, the defeat was a blow to their Champions League ambitions, leaving them in sixth place, 11 points behind Manchester City.

The game began with City dominating possession, pinning Liverpool back in their own half. Erling Haaland nearly opened the scoring in the first minute, but Liverpool's goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, made a sharp save. Despite City's dominance, they couldn't find the clinical edge to convert their chances. Liverpool struggled to create openings in the first half, with their attacking trio kept at bay by City's defense.

The second half saw Liverpool emerge with renewed energy. In the 74th minute, Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed a stunning free-kick from 30 yards out, giving Liverpool the lead. The goal, a curler that left City's goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma helpless, sparked wild celebrations at Anfield.

City responded with resilience. In the 84th minute, Haaland nodded the ball into the path of Bernardo Silva, who finished past Alisson, leveling the score. The game seemed destined for a draw until a late twist. In the 90th minute, Alisson brought down Matheus Nunes in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Haaland stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty into the bottom corner, securing the win for City.

The drama didn't end there. In the dying seconds, Rayan Cherki appeared to score from the halfway line after Alisson ventured upfield. However, VAR intervened, disallowing the goal and sending off Szoboszlai for tugging Haaland's shirt in the build-up.

The VAR decisions were a major talking point after the match. Earlier in the second half, VAR had cleared a penalty and red card check after City defender Marc Guehi fouled Mohamed Salah. Liverpool's manager, Arne Slot, argued that Guehi should have been sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The late disallowed goal and Szoboszlai's red card further fueled the debate about VAR's impact on the game.

Despite the controversy, City's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. Bernardo Silva acknowledged the importance of the win, stating that the title race would have been "probably over" had they lost. Pep Guardiola, who has been tormented by Anfield in the past, celebrated the win with visible relief, blowing a kiss to the heavens. This victory marked only his second win in 10 attempts at Anfield.

The win at Anfield has undeniably reignited Manchester City's title hopes. With Arsenal still in the lead, the coming months promise a thrilling battle for the Premier League crown.