Manchester City Secure Vital Premier League Win against Liverpool after Late Drama

Last Sunday saw Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side make the hour-long trip down the M62 to Anfield. Fresh off a four-game unbeaten run, this was a match where a win was vital for City to keep touch with Arsenal, who held a 6-point gap at the top of the table over Pep’s Sky Blues.

It wasn’t going to be easy. Arne Slot’s Reds had experienced an upturn in form prior to the game, having struggled for consistency this season. Convincing victories over Qarabag and Newcastle had brought confidence to the Anfield faithful, who felt victory was necessary to remain in the race for Champions League football.

Slot named a fairly textbook Liverpool line-up, with Szoboszlai filling in at right-back in the absence of Connor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, the Reds’ two usual right-backs who remain on the side-lines.

For the visitors, Guardiola restored Erling Haaland to his starting eleven alongside Omar Marmoush. The Norwegian had been in a troublesome patch of form by his own high standards prior to this game, going almost a month without a Premier League goal.

City were largely dominant in possession despite the chaos

The first half was a cagey affair, and massively end to end at times. Despite the chaos, City were largely dominant in possession, and were effective in evading the press of Wirtz and Ekitike. Chances were there for both sides, but neither the Reds nor City were able to break the stalemate before half time.

The second half was much more entertaining. Liverpool came out the tunnel the stronger side with some big chances missed early on, including a header from Ekitike which sailed narrowly past Gigi Donarumma’s post.

Towards the business end of the game, Pep turned to his bench, bringing on experience in Ruben Dias and the flair of Rayan Cherki, but a chance for Liverpool came as a foul was given away on the edge of the box. Szoboszlai stepped up to take and – as has been the case on several occasions this season – fired a terrific strike into the net underneath the Kop, causing Anfield to erupt.

After the vital opening goal, City returned to dominance, and an onslaught of pressure saw Bernardo Silva neatly finish past Alisson with 6 minutes to go of the 90.

As stoppage time began, Nunes was played through over the top and was carelessly brought down by Alisson, the Liverpool keeper giving away a penalty which was tucked away by Haaland for City.

Liverpool, needing a quick response, then sent their keeper up in the dying embers of the game, and despite corner after corner it was City who would counter and Cherki who would finish from distance.

The Citizens will be hoping for Arsenal to drop points so they can close the gap at the top

However, after a lengthy VAR check the goal was ruled out for a foul by Haaland, though prior to this Szoboszlai had been deemed to foul the Norwegian, receiving his marching orders as a result.

A 2-1 victory was huge for Pep’s side, and means that they are keeping tabs with Arteta’s league leaders. With a favourable run of fixtures in the league upcoming, the Citizens will be hoping for Arsenal to drop points so they can close the gap at the top.

Liverpool were able to lick their wounds following their defeat, and battled to a 1-0 away victory against Sunderland on Wednesday evening. The Reds have their work cut out if they want to finish in a Champions League spot this season, and will hope to stick to winning ways as they chase down Manchester United and Chelsea in the top five.