Liverpool’s chances of finishing in the Premier League top four suffered a blow as they threw away the lead to suffer a 2-1 defeat by Manchester City at Anfield.
The Reds may feel harshly done by as they had enough chances in the second half, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s latest free-kick deservingly giving Arne Slot’s side the opener. Liverpool could not hold on, with Bernardo Silva equalising and an Erling Haaland penalty completely flipping the game on its head.
In the dying embers, Szoboszlai was handed his marching orders for a daft foul when City thought they had bagged a third. Liverpool displayed their quality but were ultimately punished by their lapses of concentration.
City had the first chance on goal within two minutes when a mix-up led to Erling Haaland bursting free on goal but a save from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and good strength from Milos Kerkez thwarted the danger.
Liverpool had to wait until the 26th minute for their maiden sight on goal when Alexis Mac Allister showed fine vision to pick out Mo Salah but his effort was deflected wide by Marc Guehi.
City had more of the ball in the opening 45 minutes but struggled to create much else other than their early chance clear cut, with Haaland having a shot down Alisson’s throat while Kerkez blocked an Antoine Semenyo drive.
Liverpool were much the better side after the second half ensued and should have taken the lead twice through Hugo Ekitike. The striker shanked an effort wide in the 53rd minute before he couldn’t head on target three minutes later.
The noise inside Anfield cranked up markedly as Slot’s troops continued to apply the pressure. On 65 minutes, another well-worked move found its way to Florian Wirtz but his shot was blocked by Liverpool summer target Guehi.
The opener was coming - and it arrived with 16 minutes remaining when Szoboszlai fired home his latest free-kick with a peach of a free-kick from 30 yards.
But Liverpool were unable to retain their lead. Against the run of play, City equalised when Bernardo Silva was played onside by Szoboszlai and slide home in the 84th minute. And in stoppage-time, Alisson was culpable by rashly coming off his line and fouling Matheus Nunes, who had ran the ball out of play. A penalty was awarded and Haaland made no mistake to put City ahead.
There was more drama in the closing stages when Alisson, up to try to help find an equaliser, left his goal unguarded. City thought they scored when Rayan Cherki’s pass found the empty net. However, the goal was chalked off following a VAR review as Szoboszlai was adjudged to have pulled back Haaland which meant a City free-kick - and a red card for Liverpool’s goalscorer.
It was a breathless afternoon at Anfield and one Liverpool might feel they should have come out on top. Instead, they remain four points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United and another right-back option down for Wednesday’s trip to Sunderland.
Kept out two Haaland efforts in the first half but kicking wasn't the best in the first half. Made a decent stop from Semenyo after the break and no chance with Silva's equaliser. But gave the referee a decision to make for the penalty and failed to atone for his error.
1. Alisson Becker - 5
Kept out two Haaland efforts in the first half but kicking wasn't the best in the first half. Made a decent stop from Semenyo after the break and no chance with Silva's equaliser. But gave the referee a decision to make for the penalty and failed to atone for his error. | Getty Images
Made a couple of important clearances in the first half but also got skinned by Rayan Ait-Nouri twice. Relentless engine came into play after the break as he caused City so many problems with the ball at his feet then came up with the moment of magic to break the deadlock. However, was caught on his heels to keep Silva onside for City's equaliser. Then was so stupid to pull back Haaland to be sent off when Liverpool are already short of defenders.
2. Dominik Szoboszlai - 5
Made a couple of important clearances in the first half but also got skinned by Rayan Ait-Nouri twice. Relentless engine came into play after the break as he caused City so many problems with the ball at his feet then came up with the moment of magic to break the deadlock. However, was caught on his heels to keep Silva onside for City's equaliser. Then was so stupid to pull back Haaland to be sent off when Liverpool are already short of defenders. | Getty Images
Defended with aggression in the first half. The same in the second half as he bullied Marmoush and Semenyo out of the game.
3. Ibrahima Konate - 8
Defended with aggression in the first half. The same in the second half as he bullied Marmoush and Semenyo out of the game. | Getty Images
Got in the way of everything that came his way in the first half. Booked early in the second half but was immense again as he bullied Haaland and didn't deserve to be on thelosing side.
4. Virgil van Dijk - 8
Got in the way of everything that came his way in the first half. Booked early in the second half but was immense again as he bullied Haaland and didn't deserve to be on thelosing side. | Getty Images