Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Man City as Dominik Szoboszlai scored a screamer in the second half and Florian Wirtz impressed against Pep Guardiola's team
18:33, 08 Feb 2026Updated 18:43, 08 Feb 2026
Florian Wirtz during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City.
Florian Wirtz during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Dominik Szoboszlai scored a sensational goal but Liverpool still lost against Manchester City, who prevented Arsenal from taking another big step closer to the Premier League title.
After a goalless first half in which Manchester City was on top without creating loads of clear-cut chances, Hugo Ekitike went close with a header and Florian Wirtz had a decent chance blocked. Szoboszlai then struck from distance, finding the top of the corner with an almost identical goal to the one he netted against Arsenal in August.
If Manchester City was the better of the sides in the first half, Liverpool balanced that up in the second 45 minutes. But it was Bernardo Silva and then Erling Haaland who proved decisive, halting Manchester City's poor Anfield record.
READ MORE: Liverpool vs Man City LIVE: Reds suffer defeat, Szoboszlai sees red, post-match reactionREAD MORE: Habib Beye gives 'serious' injury update on Jeremy Jacquet after Liverpool defender forced off
Winners
This was a decent performance from Ibrahima Konate — who was building on an exceptional one against Newcastle United last week — and a strong one from Milos Kerkez too. Few others came away with much in the way of credit, however, and that includes those in blue jerseys. That is why Arsenal has established itself as the overwhelming title favorite.
Losers
Mohamed Salah was kept quiet by Rayan Ait-Nouri and he couldn't seem to beat his man. That is one problem — his lack of explosiveness — but his passing and decision-making were slightly off too. In combination, it is a bad cocktail. No one in a Liverpool jersey was terrible, but they needed a bit more in the way of keeping the ball to ease the pressure on themselves.
Player ratings
Alisson Becker (5). Got away with one early in the first half when he almost misjudged a ball over the top, but wasn't as called upon as he might have expected with Manchester City on top and enjoying a lot of possession. Made a good save from Antoine Semenyo but then gave away a penalty.
Dominik Szoboszlai (6). Slotting in at right-back once again, it is not his best role, but one that he can play to a high level. His passing was not always on point, however his goal was a stunner. Played Silva onside for the equalizer and then got sent off when he simply didn't need to pull the shirt.
Ibrahima Konate (7). Exceptional against Newcastle last time out, the 26-year-old was mainly tasked with sticking to Omar Marmoush here. He did well and was strong in the tackle.
Virgil van Dijk (7). His battles with Erling Haaland are usually blockbuster but this one went more under the radar. Marmoush drifting inside from the wing and runners from midfield often looked more threatening for Manchester City. Haaland got the victory, but only from the spot.
Milos Kerkez (7). In better form of late, aside from the trip to Bournemouth, the left-back made a vital intervention early on to stop Haaland, who found space in the box. He was really up for this game and put in a strong showing. Dogged.
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Ryan Gravenberch (6). He really struggled in the game at the Etihad Stadium in November, but was helped out by his partner being much better here. Brave on the ball and covered the ground well as well as he could in the center of the pitch, even if it was a battle once again.
Alexis Mac Allister (6). The Argentine has not always looked sharp this season but he needed to here. He tended to follow Bernardo Silva around and did a good job of plugging the midfield gaps. A couple of his passes broke the lines brilliantly but a few times, he was unnecessarily sloppy.
Mohamed Salah (5). This has been a fixture in which he has thrived time and time again, but he struggled to get much change out of Rayan Ait-Nouri. A couple of times, he frustrated those around him and the crowd with a poor decision or execution. A bit better in the second half than the first.
Florian Wirtz* (7). *He's been in great form lately and ran very hard here, putting a real shift in. With a little extra pace around him, you can really see how he might move to the next level and his backheeled flick into Salah's path in the first half was a sign of his growing confidence.
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Cody Gakpo (6). Offering some width down the left-hand side and used his body well at times to get the better of Matheus Nunes. Not able to hold the ball up well enough to drag his team up the pitch, though.
Hugo Ekitike (5). Having scored twice last weekend against Newcastle, the Frenchman wasn't hugely involved in the first half. Passes into him were overhit and his runs weren't quite timed right. He wasn't really in the game, but that wasn't all on him. When he did have a chance to play Wirtz in, he made the wrong choice and then headed wide when he should have scored.
Curtis Jones (6). On as a sub, he injected some fresh legs into the midfield. Could have played Salah in with one passing chance.