Five Things Learned: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City (Premier League) | OneFootball

Manchester City came back to strike a late win at Anfield on Sunday evening to complete a first Premier League double over Liverpool since 1937.

The Blues started the game fast, with Bernardo Silva finding Erling Haaland inside the penalty box, although the Norwegian saw Alisson save what could have been a first minute opener.

During the entire first 45 minutes, Pep Guardiola’s men looked confident when playing from the back, despite the press they faced from the reigning Premier League champions.

As the second-half started, it almost looked like City were about to dip in form once again, since Liverpool took control over the match and the visitors could not break from the press with passes – only long balls, which often were quickly reclaimed by Arne Slot’s side.

When the clock hit the 74 minute mark, Dominik Szoboszlai hit his trademark freekick with power and curve that went in off the post – with Gianluigi Donnarumma not moving an inch. It was a golazo that shook the solid Manchester City defence.

Trailing on the scoresheet with a title race on the line, the Blues had to respond – and they did. After a deflected Rayan Cherki cross, Erling Haaland headed the ball towards captain Bernardo Silva, who levelled with less than 10 minutes of normal time left on the clock.

Alisson brought Matheus Nunes down for a clear penalty in the 92nd spin of the clock. Haaland then made up for his early miss and converted from the spot to complete the turnaround for Manchester City.

Liverpool tried to salvage a point at home with a long distance volley from Alexis Mac Allister, which was stunningly thwarted by Donnarumma. Alisson then rushed upfield for the corner and stayed up there. Cherki took advantage of the situation, and passed the ball into the net from his own half.

However, Szoboszlai pulled Erling Haaland’s shirt in order to get ahead of him. The Norwegian striker then brought the Hungarian down, preventing him from clearing the shot. Refree Craig Pawson went to the VAR cabin, disallowed the goal for a foul, sent off Liverpool’s number eight for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and called a direct free-kick for the Blues.

With this chaotic ending, Manchester City earn their first win at Anfield since 2021, a 4-1 statement win during Covid times. With a full stadium, they had won at this venue for the most recent time in 2003, when Nicolas Anelka scored a double to also complete a 1-2 comeback.

Here are five things we learned from City’s heroic win over Liverpool.

1. We fight ‘til the end!

When Liverpool scored the opener thanks to a wonderful freekick from Szoboszlai, the Blues looked far off from winning. Add their recent record away at Anfield to the equation and it almost looked like three points lost on the road.

However, the real Manchester City has finally woken up, more specifically after the 75th minute – the one that fights for every ball as if it were the last, the team that wants to win as if it were a final. Attitude and also football shown in the last minutes are exactly what the club needs to have a successful campaign.

And simply, it is our motto, we fight ‘til the end. Whereas some betting houses are already paying out on Arsenal to win the league, City are only waiting for the right time – perhaps at the very end of this season – to do their usual business and reclaim the crown.

2. Bernardo Silva: A true captain

In a brand new 4-2-2-2 tactical set up, Silva has been fantastic as a second holding midfielder. The Portugal international is everywhere on the pitch, helping both offensively and defensively – since 2026 started, he is undroppable at the heart of Pep Guardiola’s starting XI.

Silva should have had two assists – one for Haaland, another for the disallowed attempt – besides scoring his own goal to put his club back in the fight. Against Liverpool, he is always impressive, and it is not only for the goal contributions. 

The fight our number 20 puts in makes him a leader everyone wants to follow. Every big game, all sprints and 100% of his positioning is earned by his will. At Anfield, he put a stamp another time – it looks like he had his cup of coffee versus the biggest rivals of the Guardiola era once again.

3. Haaland is back

Haaland kicked 2026 off struggling to find the net, as he did in the first minute of this match. Having never scored at Anfield in the Premier League, it seemed like it was not going to be this time.

However, the number nine heard his manager speaking in press conference duties that he is the best striker in the world and decided to show it himself: an assist for Silva to redeem the miss and a penalty to seal the victory.

Big games call for big players and the striking viking is definitely one of those. He is now isolated as the Premier League top goalscorer, with 21 strikes to his name. Besides, while his goals were off, Haaland improved his passing and build-up play, which only makes him even scarier, but not for us.

4. “Be ourselves”

That’s what Guardiola said before the match. Even though City only scored in the final stages of the game, the players were themselves in the first-half, pressing Liverpool high up the pitch, building up from the back, breaking lines with Rodri, blocking chances with Marc Guehi, fighting with Khusanov, dancing on the field with Silva.

The start of the second-half was more of an alert. Liverpool were on the press and City had to retake control; they had to be themselves. Conceding was actually a good thing this time around as the players realized they were the ones who could change the story of the clash.

When Manchester City are who they truly are, as the Catalan manager called, they can do anything. Now that Ruben Dias is back in action, the squad is one step closer to their goals – as they are alive in all competitions.

5. In safe hands

City are simply blessed with goalkeepers. On Wednesday, James Trafford was impressive against Newcastle, avoiding at least three goals in the return leg of City’s Carabao Cup semi-final tie at the Etihad Stadium.

Four days later, his colleague Gianluigi Donnarumma produced another unbelievable save to confirm the triumph over Liverpool. Donnarumma, yet again, was fundamental for gaining points. He prevented defeat last week, he secured victory this time. Signing the best keeper in the world for a modest £26 million is simply a lustrous gift.

Although there was nothing he could do when the hosts struck first, the Italian flew high to make the impossible become quite possible, blocking Mac Allister’s late attempt. That wins titles.

If teams are built from the number one onwards, it is fair to say that City are in safe hands, whether they are from Italy or England. Donnarumma and Trafford will be key to City’s aspirations for silverware this season.