(Picture by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Pictures/ Michael Regan/Getty Pictures/Peter Byrne/PA Pictures through Getty Pictures))
Anfield witnessed one of many undisputed video games of the season this Sunday, as Manchester Metropolis clawed their means again from a purpose down to grab a dramatic 2-1 victory, ending with a crimson card, a disallowed purpose, and touchline chaos.
The conflict between the title rivals lived as much as each little bit of the hype, delivering a second half of relentless drama.
It seemed as if Liverpool had struck a decisive blow within the title race, however a late collapse and a controversial VAR intervention ensured the factors went again to Manchester.
Szoboszlai free-kick opened the scoring for the Liverpool
After a tense first hour, the impasse was damaged in spectacular style within the 74th minute. Liverpool received a free-kick 25 yards out, and Dominik Szoboszlai stepped as much as produce a second of magic.
The Hungarian midfielder unleashed a dipping, swerving effort that left Gianluigi Donnarumma stranded, crashing in off the submit to ship the Kop into raptures.
It was a strike worthy of successful any recreation, and for ten minutes, it appeared sure to be the distinction maker.
Alisson Blunder resulted in Erling Haaland winner from the spot
Metropolis equalised in opposition to the run of play via Bernardo Silva within the 84th minute, however the true turning level got here in stoppage time.
With the sport poised at 1-1, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker suffered a catastrophic rush of blood.
Racing off his line to shut down Matheus Nunes, the Brazilian mistimed his slide utterly, wiping out the Metropolis midfielder within the field.
The referee pointed straight to the spot, and Erling Haaland stepped as much as silence Anfield, burying the penalty within the backside nook to make it 2-1 within the 93rd minute.
Donnarumma unimaginable save in stoppage time to disclaim Mac Allister
Liverpool threw all the things ahead seeking an equalizer, and so they practically discovered it deep into added time.
A clearance fell to Alexis Mac Allister on the sting of the field, who struck a venomous volley destined for the highest nook.
Nevertheless, Donnarumma produced a world-class save, flying to his proper to claw the ball away.
It was a match-winning intervention that preserved Metropolis’s slender lead amidst the dying embers of the sport.
If it was David Raya that made this sort of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s save in opposition to Liverpool tonight. We would not hear the tip of it.
pic.twitter.com/Svx9xdpm8z
— ???????? ? (@CFC_Muj) February 8, 2026
Controversial VAR drama: Cherki’s purpose chalked off to get Szoboszlai despatched off
The chaos peaked within the one centesimal minute. With Alisson up for a Liverpool nook, Metropolis broke on the counter.
Substitute Rayan Cherki raced clear and rolled the ball into the empty web for what seemed to be Metropolis’s third purpose.
Nevertheless, VAR intervened in weird style. Replays confirmed Szoboszlai pulling Erling Haaland again within the build-up as they chased the ball, who then pulled Szoboszlai to disclaim him from clearing from the purpose line.
A CHAOTIC finish to the sport at Anfield! ? pic.twitter.com/RYtK2yxriM
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2026
As an alternative of permitting the benefit and the purpose to face, the referee was instructed to disallow Cherki’s strike as a consequence of Haaland’s foul on Szoboszlai.
What made it additional weird is that Szoboszlai offence was deemed crimson card worthy as he denied a transparent goalscoring alternative.
The purpose was disallowed, Szoboszlai was despatched off, Man Metropolis have been awarded a free-kick and seconds later the ultimate whistle was blown.
WHAT JUST WENT DOWN AT ANFIELD?
Cherki fires from midway, Szoboszlai pulls Haaland, Haaland retaliates, purpose scored. Metropolis win the sport.
Referee will get despatched to the monitor, purpose disallowed, Szoboszlai RED, and Man Metropolis get a last-minute free-kick.
Pure chaos proper on the demise! pic.twitter.com/rVYHmbHTMS
— Soccer Paparazzi (@PaparazziFutbal) February 8, 2026
It was a complicated, chaotic finish to a breathless encounter, leaving Anfield shocked and the Metropolis away finish delirious.
