Erling Haaland struck a dramatic 93rd-minute penalty to complete a remarkable Manchester City comeback against Liverpool at Anfield, keeping the Premier League title race firmly alive.
Pep Guardiola’s side looked set to drop crucial points until a frenetic late surge turned the contest on its head.
The victory cuts Arsenal’s lead at the top to six points with 13 games remaining and marks City’s first league win at Anfield in front of supporters since 2003.
Liverpool had taken the lead in spectacular fashion in the 74th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai curled a stunning 30-yard free-kick into the corner, leaving Gianluigi Donnarumma rooted to the spot.
It was a moment that seemed destined to decide the match.
But City responded with resilience.
Bernardo Silva levelled in the 84th minute after Haaland knocked down Rayan Cherki’s cross, poking home from close range.
Then, deep into stoppage time, Matheus Nunes was clattered by Alisson as he chased a loose ball in the area, and referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot.
Haaland kept his nerve, rolling the penalty past Alisson to spark wild celebrations among the travelling support and claim his 21st league goal of the season.
There was still time for further chaos.
Donnarumma produced a brilliant save to deny Alexis Mac Allister, before Cherki appeared to score from inside his own half with Alisson stranded upfield.
The goal was ruled out after a VAR check, with Szoboszlai instead shown a red card for hauling down Haaland in the build-up.
City had dominated possession in the first half but failed to capitalise, with Alisson denying Haaland twice.
Liverpool grew into the contest after the break, with Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah both going close before Szoboszlai’s thunderbolt broke the deadlock.
Unlike previous Anfield encounters, however, City refused to wilt.
Guardiola’s side completed only their third league win at Liverpool in 23 attempts and secured a rare Anfield triumph that could prove pivotal in the title race.
Szoboszlai’s sensational free-kick deserved to win the game, but Liverpool were once again unable to see it out.
Arne Slot’s side were sluggish early on but looked far sharper after the interval, with Ekitike, Salah and Florian Wirtz all growing in influence.
The turning point came with Alisson’s rash challenge on Nunes, gifting City a route back into the game.
Szoboszlai’s late dismissal compounded the misery and leaves Slot with a selection headache ahead of the next fixture.
Liverpool have now conceded four 90th-minute winners this season, a worrying trend as they slip four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification.
City could not afford to leave Anfield empty-handed, and for long spells it looked like they would.
But Silva’s equaliser and Haaland’s ice-cold penalty showcased the mentality that has defined Guardiola’s reign.
Haaland, who missed a penalty against Liverpool earlier this season, was instrumental throughout and finally claimed his first goal at Anfield.
The return of Ruben Dias added steel at the back, while City’s late composure underlined their enduring quality.
It may yet prove one of the defining moments of the season - a win that ended City’s Anfield hoodoo and sent a clear message to Arsenal that the title race is far from over.
