Liverpool vs Manchester City LIVE
Two Premier League heavyweights dished out an enthralling encounter at Anfield on Sunday with huge ramifications on the title race. A tense, end-to-end affair in which City dominated the opening period before Liverpool turned the tide in the second half ramped up to a chaotic finish, starting when a rocket of a long-range free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock.
City, knowing Arsenal may run away with the title if they failed to pick up points here, responded ten minutes later through Bernardo Silva, the skipper volleying past Alisson after a knockdown from Erling Haaland to set up a tense finish. In stoppage time, Alisson then brought down Matheus Nunes in the area and Haaland stepped up to bury the resulting penalty.
The madness was far from over, though, as Rayan Cherki later saw a goal disallowed with play brought back for a free-kick and Szoboszlai - adjudged to have prevented a goal-scoring opportunity as he grappled with Haaland to stop the striker chasing Cherki’s attempt into an open net - shown a straight red card, a decision which drew plenty of post-match criticism. In the end, though, it made no difference to the result as City clinched a rare win at this ground to close the gap to the Gunners back to six points. Relive the match as it happened below in our dedicated live blog, including expert insight.
Liverpool vs Man City latest
- MATCH REPORT
- GOAL! Liverpool 1-2 Man City: Haaland scores penalty after Alisson fouls Nunes | 90+3'
- GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Man City: Bernardo Silva levels to set up tense finish | 84'
- GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City: Szoboszlai breaks deadlock with long-range free-kick rocket | 74'
- Liverpool team news: Reds unchanged, Gomez still out
- Manchester City team news: Haaland and Marmoush call made
'Just give the goal': Haaland and Pep react to 'killjoy' Szoboszlai moment
20:25 , Alex DakersManchester City duo Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola have echoed criticism of late VAR drama in their 2-1 comeback win over Liverpool at Anfield, in which Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off in stoppage time.
Szoboszlai experienced the highs and lows of football during an end-to-end affair, putting in a commendable shift as a makeshift right-back during City’s dominant opening half before helping Liverpool turn the screw in the second period.
It was he who broke the deadlock, swerving a free-kick in from a ridiculous distance with a quarter of an hour of regulation time left, but 10 minutes later the Hungarian was found to be playing Bernardo Silva onside as the City skipper latched onto a Haaland knockdown to level the scores.
After a Haaland spot-kick put the visitors ahead three minutes into stoppage time, an already tense finish turned into a chaotic one as both sides pushed for a pivotal late goal.
Pep Guardiola: City will 'breathe down Arsenal's neck'
19:47 , Alex DakersAnd now, some reaction from Pep Guardiola:
“I have a feeling that improving a little bit will not be enough to compete against Arsenal but still we have margin [to improve].
“We have to [play Arsenal] at home [on April 18] and of course we have to beat them. I’ve said, 13 games in the Premier League, from my point of view, from my little experience, is a lot of time, a lot.
Guardiola continued: “When you go into the last games playing any team in a relegation battle, it’s a proper game because they live to survive and they have long weeks to prepare, [whereas] you come from [the] FA Cup, you come from [the] Carabao Cup, you come from the Champions League.
“That makes an influence in the title race, that’s why being nine, 10, 11 points is more difficult, that’s why all we can do is breathe down the neck of Arsenal, being there, and try if they sleep, if they make something [a mistake], use it.”
Slot makes Liverpool admission as Champions League hopes dented
19:40 , Alex DakersWe’ve heard from Arne Slot now - here’s some of what the Liverpool manager had to say:
"We know what the table looks like, but we also know there are a lot of games to be played. I said to the players, again, that they showed today what they are capable of.
"I definitely see progression but we also know there are not so many games to be played so there is not a lot of room for error or mistakes.
"It's another time, in my opinion, that we didn't get what we deserved. I can keep saying it but people will probably be annoyed. I try to analyse the game as fairly as possible and that's what I'm trying to do now."
Today’s result leaves Liverpool sixth in the Premier League, level on points with Brentford and four back from fifth-placed Chelsea.
Liverpool won't make UCL positions with current front four - Carragher
19:28 , Alex DakersCarragher then turned his attention to his former club, saying: "The manager [Arne Slot] has another decision to make on the front four.
"If Liverpool continue the way they are, with a front four [of Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike] and the game’s end-to-end, I just don't see how they can make the Champions League positions.
"But no matter what Arne Slot does, the make-up of this squad and team isn't right. It never looks stable, they are never in control.
"There is a long road ahead for Liverpool to make the Champions League places."
Jamie Carragher: Donnarumma can win City the Prem
19:25 , Alex DakersJamie Carragher believes that Gianluigi Donnarumma can be the key for Manchester City to beat Arsenal to the Premier League title.
The City goalkeeper produced a world-class save late on at Anfield to deny Alexis Mac Allister, as the visitors clung on to record a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
The win keeps the pressure on league leaders Arsenal, and City could close the gap on Mikel Arteta’s men should they beat Fulham on Wednesday.
Speaking on Sky Sports, former Liverpool defender Carragher explained why the Italian could be the difference between Pep Guardiola’s side lifting the trophy in May and not.
Gary Neville: VAR decision 'killed one of the great moments of the season'
19:20 , Alex DakersGary Neville, who was on comms for Sky Sports, had this to say about the stoppage time chaos we witnessed tonight as it happened: “I just don't get this. He's fouled him. That's the foul.
“That feels so unjust. I know there's rules but there is the smell of the game.
“No referee should disallow that goal. Talk about killjoy. Just let the goal be.
“You have just killed one of the great moments of the season. You live to watch games like this. I am a fan of VAR but it has just killed the joy.
“The reason fans watch football matches is for entertainment and for moments like that.”
'Hammer blow': Roy Keane issues Arsenal title verdict after last-minute Man City win
19:15 , Alex DakersRoy Keane said that Manchester City’s last-gasp win over Liverpool is a “hammer blow” for Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
Pep Guardiola’s side trail the Gunners by six points at the top of the table, but kept the pressure on amid late chaos at Anfield.
Erling Haaland struck a stoppage-time penalty to give City all three points and record just their second win on Merseyside in 11 attempts under Guardiola.
Speaking on Sky Sports, former Manchester United midfielder Keane said that the result was “huge” for City, who could cut Arsenal’s lead at the top to three points should they beat Fulham on Wednesday.
Fan reaction
19:13 , Alex DakersI’m actually speechless. How do we go from Szoboszlai scoring a free-kick that literally nearly tore the net off to losing the game in 15 minutes? It was right there. 1-0 up at Anfield with 15 to play against City & we just let it slip. #LIVMCI #PremierLeague
— Rizwan Afghan 🇦🇫 (@RizwanLiverpool) February 8, 2026
Report: Last-gasp Erling Haaland winner keeps pressure on Arsenal
19:11 , Alex DakersErling Haaland kept Manchester City in the title race with an added-time penalty as Pep Guardiola’s side came from behind to win 2-1 in a chaotic finish.
After drawing three blanks the Norway international scored only his second Premier League goal since Christmas, and his first at Anfield, to give the visitors their first win in front of a crowd here since 2003.
The City striker was then involved in a bizarre finish as he and Dominik Szoboszlai chased Rayan Cherki’s shot from inside his own half with goalkeeper Alisson Becker upfield searching for an equaliser.
Szoboszlai pulled Haaland, who then tugged back the Hungary captain as the ball trickled over the line.
After a VAR check referee Craig Pawson decided Haaland had been denied a goalscoring opportunity so ruled out the goal, awarded a free-kick 30 yards out and sent off Szoboszlai.
Bernardo Silva: 'If we lost, the title race was probably over'
19:00 , Alex DakersMore reaction now from Bernardo Silva, who levelled the scores at Anfield prior to Erling Haaland’s match-winning penalty.
"The whole team knew that if we lost this game, probably the title race is over,” Bernardo said.
"[Arsenal] are still in a much better position than us.
“We felt we needed to win this game. That puts us a bit closer.
“We're going to fight until the end. It's six points, we're happy, but we need to keep doing our job - which we haven't lately."
Haaland: 'Just give the goal!
18:57 , Alex DakersHere’s Erling Haaland, speaking post-match on that disallowed goal decision: "Of course, the referee had to follow the rules but this will give [Szoboszlai] three games, in the end I feel bad for him because he gets three games.”
I’m not sure that’s correct - it may just be a one-game ban for Szoboszlai.
Haaland continued: "Just give the goal, don't give a red card. Simple as that.
"It's the rules and how it is.
"[I would understand if] Cherki just passed me the ball so I can score but he didn't want to, so that's just how it is!"
FT: Liverpool 1-2 Man City
18:34 , Alex DakersNothing comes of the free-kick and that is all we have time for!
Wow. What a game of football.
Stick with us for a full report, reaction and more!
RED CARD! Liverpool 1-2 Man City
18:33 , Alex Dakers90+13mins: ... Szoboszlai is sent off!
The Hungarian pulled Haaland’s shirt somewhere in there, which is why we’ve been called back and City’s third goal has been chalked off.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Liverpool 1-2 Man City
18:29 , Alex Dakers90+10mins: A ridiculous end to this match as City seal the win!
Liverpool’s goal is empty, Rayan Cherki hits it from the halfway line and Erling Haaland can’t get there to help it in but it doesn’t matter as the ball trickles over the line anyway!
Hang on, VAR are checking something here...
And it will be disallowed!
Haaland is adjudged to have fouled Szoboszlai as he tried to reach the ball, but Szoboszlai has been found to have committed a holding offence to deny City a goal-scoring opportunity before that, meaning the visitors have a free-kick and...
Liverpool 1-2 Man City
18:27 , Alex Dakers90+9mins: Donnarumma claws out the resulting corner delivery.
It comes to Salah in the box, he and Milos Kerkez hit the deck in the box, and VAR are checking this...
Liverpool 1-2 Man City
18:26 , Alex Dakers90+8mins: Nunes clears to the halfway line and Alisson takes a throw-in.
Surely that’s it?
Not quite, as Mac Allister forced a crucial stop from Donnarumma!
Liverpool 1-2 Man City
18:25 , Alex Dakers90+7mins: Alisson stops Rayan Ait-Nouri from making it three after the City left-back, all alone on the left flank, cut inside.
Bernardo Silva is cautioned for a foul on Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool 1-2 Man City
18:24 , Alex Dakers90+6mins: City now on the cusp of their first league double over Liverpool since 1937.
Yes, you read that right.
Pep Guardiola sends on Nathan Ake for Antoine Semenyo to see this out.
PENALTY CHECK! Liverpool 1-1 Man City
18:20 , Alex Dakers90+1mins: Alisson wipes out Matheus Nunes when rushing off his line to the byline, and City have a penalty in stoppage time!
Up steps Erling Haaland, possibly with City’s title challenge on the line...
Liverpool 1-1 Man City
18:19 , Alex Dakers90+1mins: SEVEN minutes to play.
Liverpool 1-1 Man City
18:18 , Alex Dakers90mins: Antoine Semenyo doesn’t do well enough with a chance and Alisson claims the ball.
City quickly have possession back, though, as they push for a winner.
Fan reaction: Bernardo stepping up at just the right time
18:16 , Alex DakersAnd this happens to be Bernado's first EPL goal of the season. #LIVMCI
— Nazir (@NMladan) February 8, 2026
Liverpool 1-1 Man City
18:13 , Alex Dakers85mins: Arne Slot immediately makes a change, sending on Curtis Jones for Cody Gakpo.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Man City
18:12 , Alex Dakers84mins: Hello - Bernardo Silva has levelled the scores!
Erling Haaland rises high to head a delivery towards goal and Silva, played onside by Liverpool’s goal-scorer Szoboszlai, tucks it past Alisson with an outstretched boot.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-2 Man City
18:21 , Alex Dakers90+3mins: AND ERLING HAALAND SCORES!
City’s striker beats Alisson, who goes the right way, and tucks it into the bottom left corner.
The visitors have turned this tie on its head, and kept the Premier League title race alive!
Fan reaction: Szobo's wondrous free-kick
18:10 , Alex DakersAnd that kids is why we put 4 on the wall.
— عبدالعزيز (@EzzRoguie) February 8, 2026
- Pep to his grandchildren#LIVMCI
Liverpool 1-0 Man City
18:10 , Alex Dakers82mins: City will, as things stand, stay with just one win from 11 attempts at Anfield under Pep Guardiola.
That sole win came in 2021, when no fans were allowed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Anfield fortress is still alive and well against this opponent, it seems!
Liverpool 1-0 Man City
18:07 , Alex Dakers79mins: Well then!
This has made the final quarter of an hour very interesting indeed.
City need a response here, or Arsenal will end the day nine points clear the Premier League’s summit.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City
18:02 , Alex Dakers74mins: Liverpool have another free-kick.
This one is more central but some ways from goal - and Dominik Szoboszlai has sent it flying into the back of the net!
That was a ridiculous hit from the Hungarian, swerving left to right past the perhaps understaffed two-man wall and past Gianluigi Donnarumma as well, clipping in off the right-hand upright.
He buried Arsenal earlier this season with a special free-kick from a similar distance, and now he looks to have handed the Gunners an advantage in their title race against City.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
18:01 , Alex Dakers73mins: Salah scoops another delivery in, from open play this time, but Donnarumma punches it clear yet again before Mac Allister can plant his forehead on the ball.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:59 , Alex Dakers71mins: Salah takes it, but the ball sails away from goal without causing Donnarumma any trouble.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:58 , Alex Dakers70mins: The officials deem Guehi’s yellow card to be the correct colour, and Liverpool have a free-kick in a dangerous area.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:57 , Alex Dakers68mins: Mo Salah is hauled down just on the edge of the area.
Marc Guehi is booked for his troubles and Liverpool’s players are furious, but it’s correctly given as a free-kick rather than a penalty.
VAR checking if this was the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity...
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:56 , Alex Dakers68mins: It’s played in by Szoboszlai, ends up falling to Gravenberch but the Dutch midfielder misses the mark.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:55 , Alex Dakers67mins: Szoboszlai switches it to Gakpo on the left but it ends up being worked back to the makeshift right-back before Antoine Semenyo concedes a free-kick.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:54 , Alex Dakers66mins: No luck for the hosts from that set-piece either.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:53 , Alex Dakers65mins: Back up the other end, Liverpool have another shot but Marc Guehi makes a vital block to redirect Florian Wirtz’s goalbound effort out for a corner.
That set-piece is headed behind by Ruben Dias for another Liverpool corner.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:52 , Alex DakersLiverpool had more shots (4) in the opening minutes of this second half than they did in the whole of the first half (3).
A shift in momentum indeed, although Ruben Dias has just had a go for City - but it flashes wide.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:50 , Alex Dakers62mins: We played on for a minute before Ryan Gravenberch hurt himself while getting tackled.
Back underway again now.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:50 , Alex Dakers61mins: Khusanov has indeed been replaced, with Dias marking his return from injury in his place.
That was, I believe, a concussion protocol substitution so does not count towards City’s allotted total of five.
What will, however, is the other change Pep Guardiola chooses to make at this break in play: Omar Marmoush off for Rayan Cherki.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:48 , Alex Dakers60mins: Khusanov says he’s fine to continue but Ruben Dias is being readied.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:47 , Alex Dakers57mins: Nearly again from the visitors, although the offside flag is up once more after Cody Gakpo fires wide when set through on goal by Mac Allister’s chested pass.
Gianluigi Donnarumma threw his body into the ruckus there and may have taken out his defender Abdukodir Khusanov in the process.
The City centre-back is down receiving treatment, for what looks like a knock to the face from Donnarumma’s knee.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:45 , Alex Dakers56mins: City have another chance of their own now as Antoine Semenyo forces a stop from Alisson.
Liverpool dart up the other end at pace with a four on three situation, Mo Salah clips a cross toward Hugo Ekitike but the Frenchman nods it just wide.
Fan reaction
17:43 , Alex DakersThese few minutes is more like the Liverpool I know.#LIVMCI
— Blessing Mgbeonyere (@Blissfullnotes) February 8, 2026
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:42 , Alex Dakers54mins: A much better start to this half by the hosts, but they’re yet to find a clean breakthrough.
Wirtz plays a ball into the centre of the box but City clear.
It comes back in from the German playmaker but Donnarumma punches clear, getting there just before Hugo Ekitike can head towards goal.
The linesman raises his flag against the Liverpool striker but that looked just about onside to me, so it’s a good thing for City that Donnarumma was there.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:41 , Alex Dakers53mins: A minute later, Hugo Ekitike is found on the edge of the area but fires wide across goal.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:41 , Alex Dakers52mins: City try to clear their lines after a few attempted deliveries from Liverpool but the ball goes only as far as Dominik Szoboszlai.
He rifles a powerful shot from distance, which Gianluigi Donnarumma gets down low to stop.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:38 , Alex Dakers50mins: Nico O’Reilly interlocks his arm around Ryan Gravenberch’s but escapes without a caution.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:36 , Alex Dakers47mins: Yellow card to Virgil van Dijk for a challenge on Erling Haaland and a set-piece some distance from goal for City, but nothing comes of it.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:35 , Alex Dakers47mins: Another breathless start to this half, as we had in the opening period.
Liverpool go close at one end through Mo Salah, whose shot is blocked, before Alisson rushes out to stop Omar Marmoush going through on goal, and is bailed out by his defence who cover and clear when the home goalie misses the ball.
Back underway!
17:34 , Alex Dakers46mins: We’re back in action at Anfield!
Dominik Szoboszlai is still on the pitch, despite hobbling in at the break.
Liverpool struggling to break through City's defence
17:32 , Alex DakersAnother worrying sight for Arne Slot, in addition to that potential Szoboszlai injury (see our previous post):
Liverpool's forward line has been inaccessible.#LFC #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/Ni4BbztDXt
— Half Space Analyst (@HalfAnalyst) February 8, 2026
Szobo hobbling?
17:27 , Alex DakersDominik Szoboszlai looked like he was limping a little bit there as the two teams went in for a break.
It would be very bad news for Liverpool if he has to go off.
We’ll keep an eye on that situation and bring you any updates as soon as we get them.
Who is happiest at half-time?
17:25 , Alex DakersPep Guardiola will be frustrated that his City side have so far been unable to capitalise on their dominance in that first half.
Arne Slot, meanwhile, is likely to be giving his Liverpool squad a talking to in the home dressing room.
They’ve defended well enough when asked, the hosts, but have been sloppy in possession and failed to create many chance of note in attacking positions.
Perhaps the happiest man/club at the moment is Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, given City are currently dropping points in the title race.
As things stand, the Gunners will be eight points clear at the Premier League’s summit at the end of matchday 25/38 following yesterday’s victory over Sunderland.
Chelsea and Manchester United, who both won yesterday, will also be pleased to see top-four contenders Liverpool under the kosh.
HT: Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:18 , Alex DakersThe referee’s whistle goes and despite chances at both ends, we go in goalless at the interval.
City have definitely been on top in this opening period, but the hosts worked their way into the half.
Back shortly!
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:17 , Alex Dakers45+2mins: Quick passing from City looks promising but Gravenberch cuts one out from Semenyo as the January signing’s teammates inexplicably back away from the ball.
Liverpool’s possession is short-lived, though, and City come again through Semenyo before a crunching tackle deflects the ball back to Alisson.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:16 , Alex Dakers45+1mins: Just two minutes of stoppages at the end of this opening period.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:15 , Alex Dakers45mins: City have had 10 shots already in this first half, three of them on target.
None of Liverpool’s three attempts have been on target, meanwhile.
The visitors lead the way comfortably for touches in the opposition box and overall possession, too.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:13 , Alex Dakers43mins: Salah hits the turf when trying to reach for the ball following the resulting free-kick, but he’s looking for that despite Bernardo Silva’s hand being loosely on his shoulder.
VAR confirms the on-field decision of no penalty.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:13 , Alex Dakers41mins: Moments later, Marmoush is shown a first yellow card of the afternoon for tripping Ryan Gravenberch.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:12 , Alex Dakers41mins: Haaland is dispossessed on the edge of the area but City quickly win it back after Liverpool are sloppy when trying to get out.
The ball falls to Omar Marmoush but his looping long-range effort goes over into the Kop.
Fan reaction
17:11 , Alex DakersSome Liverpool fans aren’t pleased to see Szoboszlai playing out of position again, though, with 22-year-old Scottish right-back Calvin Ramsay on the bench.
Why have a fit right back in Calvin Ramsay on the bench and put your best midfielder at right back instead? Does my head in.
— Smiggy (@ste_smithYNWA) February 8, 2026
Can say experience but got to learn one day.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:10 , Alex Dakers39mins: Szoboszlai stops Haaland from going through on goal.
Another solid display in an unnatural position (right-back) for the Hungarian utility man so far.
He won six duels in the opening 30 minutes of this match, three times the number of any other player on the field.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:08 , Alex Dakers37mins: Mo Salah is flagged for offside out on the wing.
Will the deadlock be broken before half-time?
International bosses in the crowd
17:05 , Alex DakersEngland manager Thomas Tuchel is here at Anfield, as is Dutch head coach Ronald Koeman.
A fair few members of their respective World Cup squads are in action, after all!
📸 - Thomas Tuchel profite du jeu! #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/8GMFbBBpC0
— Cleub (@Cleubfr) February 8, 2026
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:04 , Alex Dakers34mins: Haaland hasn’t had much to do yet today, with more of City’s chances falling to Omar Marmoush, but the big man has just tested Alisson.
He hits the ball first time on the left of the six-yard box but Liverpool’s goalie makes the stop comfortably.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:03 , Alex Dakers33mins: Wirtz is found on the right side of the box by Salah but gets jumbled up in his cutback and City clear.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:02 , Alex Dakers32mins: Milos Kerkez tries to knock a high ball through to Cody Gakpo, but the Dutchman is in an offside position.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
17:02 , Alex Dakers31mins: Florian Wirtz plays a lovely long ball forward which Hugo Ekitike collects, but Marc Guehi is right up in the Liverpool forward’s face and shuts the attack down.
Goal-kick to the visitors.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:59 , Alex Dakers29mins: This has been better from Liverpool in these last few minutes.
A turning of the tides, or just a momentary shift in momentum?
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:58 , Alex Dakers28mins: Szoboszlai whips this one into a much more dangerous area but Donnarumma is there to knock it clear.
It’s delivered in again and Donnarumma is well off his line, but Mo Salah can’t quite cushion his chip into the goal - it hits the wrong side of the roof of the net.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:57 , Alex Dakers27mins: Nothing, is the answer.
There’s a bit too much on the delivery and although Virgil van Dijk keeps it alive, play ends up stopping as Dominik Szoboszlai passes out of play.
He thinks it came off Semenyo, and it may have done, but it’s City’s ball for a moment before Liverpool win another corner.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:56 , Alex Dakers26mins: Ooooof, close!
Mac Allister skids a pass across the slick Anfield turf to Mo Salah, who fires wide via a deflection.
Corner to the hosts. What can they do with it?
Fan reaction
16:55 , Alex DakersFrom the home fans, meanwhile, a less than positive reaction to these opening 25 minutes.
#LFC just have no intensity whatsoever.
— L. Blake (@locaisin) February 8, 2026
There's no zip, pace or aggression in this team.
It's passive, slow & uninspiring football. And it's clear that it's down to the coaching - not the quality of player.#LIVMCI #LiverpoolFC
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:55 , Alex Dakers24mins: Bernardo Silva cuts into the box and tries to play the ball across goal but Erling Haaland, perhaps not anticipating the pass, can’t quite get there.
The City striker keeps possession and finds Antoine Semenyo, whose attempt earns his side a corner - which is booted away from the near post.
Fan reaction
16:54 , Alex DakersNerves amongst the City fanbase, despite this positive start?
City are dominant so far but the backline has a mistake in them waiting to happen unless they settle down a bit. #LIVMCI
— Lehlogonolo Mokgathi (@KingAvatar_) February 8, 2026
you know what this city onslaught means. we score none after 10+ shots and liverpool score there first. #LIVMCI
— Jøe (@guynamedjoe_) February 8, 2026
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:53 , Alex Dakers22mins: Omar Marmoush, who has been a real threat so far, spins and shoots.
It takes a deflection but nothing comes of the resulting corner as City are pushed back.
Fan reaction
16:52 , Alex DakersCity have had the majority of possession so far, and Liverpool haven’t really had a clear cut chance.
Have Gravenberch, Wirtz and Mac Allister touched the ball yet? Midfield absolutely non-existent! #LIVMCI #LFC
— Ash Rose (@Ashleyrose66) February 8, 2026
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:50 , Alex Dakers20mins: The visitors have a free-kick out wide.
It’s taken but cleared easily by Liverpool at the near post.
The hosts try to break but are halted and City are back in possession, knocking it around in the opposition half trying to find a breakthrough.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:48 , Alex Dakers18mins: Marmoush whips the corner in, Guehi goes for it but Szoboszlai clears it in the nick of time.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:47 , Alex Dakers17mins: Omar Marmoush is found on the left side of the box and Dominik Szoboszlai is forced to bundle the ball behind for a corner.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:47 , Alex Dakers17mins: City have made 10 successful passes in the final third of the pitch to Liverpool’s one so far.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:46 , Alex Dakers15mins: Florian Wirtz tries to thread the needle through City’s backline to Hugo Ekitike, but it’s cut out.
Those two have built up a great connection in recent weeks, and appear to be Liverpool’s likeliest source of goals at the moment with Mo Salah in the midst of a quiet campaign.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:44 , Alex Dakers14mins: An unsuccessful foray forward for the visitors on this occasion, as Rodri goes for goal from distance but instead hits Erling Haaland as the City striker tries to make a darting run across the box.
Fan reaction
16:43 , Alex DakersCity cutting through Liverpool so easily. Liverpool need to tighten up. Slot get up and get the message across.#LIVMCI
— GUNNER BE ARSENAL (@GunnerBeArsenal) February 8, 2026
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:42 , Alex Dakers12mins: Erling Haaland is slightly too late releasing Omar Marmoush and the Egyptian is flagged for offside.
He shot it wide anyway.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:41 , Alex Dakers11mins: To answer the pre-match question of just what formation City are playing... it’s a pretty fluid one, so far.
Marmoush is more or less alongside Haaland up top with Bernardo Silva and Rodri in the middle of the park, Nico O'Reilly drifting out to the left and Antoine Semenyo on the right.
In City’s box, Gianluigi Donnarumma is forced to come and punch a delivery.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:40 , Alex Dakers9mins: Bernardo Silva whips in a free-kick from deep, but it’s headed wide by Abdukodir Khusanov.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:36 , Alex Dakers6mins: Milos Kerkez tries to find Ekitike who lets it run but City intercept before Cody Gakpo can gallop through on goal.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:35 , Alex Dakers5mins: A frantic start here at Anfield.
Hugo Ekitike goes close at one end, before Antoine Semenyo fires high into the crowd at the other.
Fan reaction
16:34 , Alex DakersWhat a save from Alison to keep the game level
— OMAH'LE🐐 (@AbdulsalamOmal1) February 8, 2026
Nice play from Kerkez as well #LIVMCI
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:32 , Alex Dakers2mins: Guehi clips a pass over the top to Bernardo Silva and suddenly Erling Haaland is in possession in the box, but Alisson gets out in time to stop him scoring his first-ever goal at this ground.
Milos Kerkez was there to put vital pressure on City’s frontman as well.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
16:32 , Alex Dakers2mins: Liverpool start on the front foot as the Anfield crowd boos City defender Marc Guehi.
KICK-OFF!
16:30 , Alex Dakers1min: We’re underway!
About to get underway
16:30 , Alex DakersYou’ll Never Walk Alone elicits goosebumps as it echoes around Anfield.
The Kop is animated despite their side’s struggles at times this season, with a title defence all but out of reach.
Liverpool can still play a huge role in this year’s title race, though. Will they do Arsenal a favour today and take points off of City?
Players on the pitch
16:28 , Alex DakersBoth squads are out on the Anfield pitch now.
Here we go, folks!
A reminder that you can let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter/X using the hashtag #LIVMCI, and we’ll feature the best reaction right here in our blog.
Haaland and Marmoush - up front together?
16:26 , Alex DakersPep Guardiola refused to tell us pre-match whether Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland would be leading the line together, or if it would be the Norwegian up top on his own with Marmoush in support from the flank or a more central position.
No matter - we’ll find out for ourselves in a few minutes!
The players are in the tunnel now.
Fan thoughts: Who are you rooting for?
16:22 , Alex DakersFans of other Premier League clubs, especially league leaders Arsenal, appear to be split when it comes to who to support today:
Arsenal fan base supporting Liverpool to take all 3 points of city and the rest of the league wanting city to beat Liverpool. #LIVMCI
— John Doe (@nonchalant_EO) February 8, 2026
This Arsenal fan, meanwhile, isn’t too fussed and thinks the Gunners - who hold a nine-point lead over City at the moment - have the title wrapped up!
I speak for every Arsenal fan when I say we’re not bothered about the Liverpool vs City game.
— Arsenal Radar (@ArsenalRadar) February 8, 2026
If Liverpool win, great. If they don’t, it won’t stop us from winning the league. #LIVMCI pic.twitter.com/G7Bay8nMHc
Pep's poor Anfield record
16:19 , Alex DakersWe’ve already told you about Erling Haaland’s failure to score at Anfield in the Premier League, but Pep Guardiola’s record at this ground is also notably poor.
The City boss has won just one time here since taking charge of the Sky Blues in 2016, losing on six occasions and drawing once.
Szobo shows off skills and calls for 'real Liverpool' to show up
16:23 , Alex DakersDominik Szoboszlai showing off his ball control in the warm-ups a few minutes ago:
Szobo 👀@AXA | #Ad pic.twitter.com/p2OlmLgEy0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 8, 2026
He’s at his best in attacking midfield but fills in at right-back today, given Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are all injured.
Speaking to Sky Sports a short while ago, the Hungarian said: It is important to see the real Liverpool.
“We would like to do the same we did last season. We are on it to do it today.
"We had steps forward and setbacks as well. I think everybody takes it very seriously. It is a big game and we need to do our job. Fight for each other.
"I play [at right-back] because I have to but I will try and do my best. They have crazy wingers so I have to be careful."
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