Defending Premier League champions Liverpool suffered a painful 2-1 defeat to Manchester City after a stoppage-time penalty sealed a dramatic win for the visitors at Anfield. The result ended Liverpool’s eight-game unbeaten home run and kept pressure on league leaders Arsenal in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested title race.
For Kenyan football fans who closely follow the EPL every weekend, this was another reminder of how unpredictable the league can be — especially when two elite teams collide under pressure.
First Half: City Control as Liverpool Struggle to Settle
Manchester City started with intent, dominating possession and forcing Liverpool deep into their own half early on. City nearly took the lead when Bernardo Silva slipped Erling Haaland through on goal, but Alisson Becker reacted quickly to deny the Norwegian striker.
Moments later, Omar Marmoush found himself clean through but fired wide, with the offside flag saving his blushes. Liverpool struggled to create clear chances, with Mohamed Salah producing their only real first-half threat when his shot deflected narrowly wide off Marc Guéhi.
There was controversy before halftime when Salah appeared to have his shoulder pulled inside the penalty area, but neither the referee nor VAR awarded a spot kick. This decision frustrated the Anfield crowd.
Second Half: Missed Chances and Rising Tension
Liverpool came out stronger after the break but failed to convert key chances. Salah delivered a perfect cross for Hugo Ekitike, who somehow headed wide from close range. Florian Wirtz later missed another golden opportunity after a brilliant team move, with Guéhi making a crucial block.
City’s defensive discipline kept Liverpool from gaining momentum, while their physical presence in midfield continued to disrupt the Reds’ attacking rhythm.
Szoboszlai Magic Sparks Hope
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 74th minute through a moment of brilliance. Dominik Szoboszlai fired a stunning 35-yard free-kick that crashed in off the post, sending Anfield into celebration and seemingly putting Liverpool on course for a crucial victory.
For a brief moment, it looked like Liverpool would extend their strong home record and stay firmly in the title hunt.
Late Collapse: City Punish Liverpool
Manchester City responded quickly. Six minutes from time, Bernardo Silva equalized after reacting fastest to Haaland’s knockdown inside the box.
Then came the decisive moment. Deep into stoppage time, Alisson fouled Matheus Nunes inside the area. Haaland stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, sealing a dramatic comeback win for City.
The match ended chaotically when Szoboszlai was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, but by then City had already secured a famous Anfield victory.
What This Means for the Title Race
This result keeps Manchester City firmly in the title conversation while dealing a psychological blow to Liverpool. Arsenal remain under pressure, but results like this prove the race is far from decided.
For Kenyan EPL fans and bettors, this season continues to offer unpredictable outcomes — making match analysis and smart betting decisions more critical than ever.
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Final Thoughts
Manchester City showed championship mentality with a late comeback, while Liverpool will need to quickly recover if they want to stay in the title race. With Arsenal still leading and City gaining momentum, the Premier League battle is becoming one of the most exciting in recent years.
For fans across Kenya, this is precisely why the EPL remains the most-watched league in the world — drama, quality, and unforgettable moments every single week.
