Bernardo Silva scored a sensational 84th-minute equalizer as Manchester City rallied from 1-0 down to beat Liverpool 2-1, with the City captain revelling in the late drama
Paul Wheelock Head of sport and Andy Hampson and Carl Markham Press Association
18:29, 09 Feb 2026
Bernardo Silva inspired Manchester City's comeback at Liverpool
Bernardo Silva inspired Manchester City's comeback at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Bernardo Silva confessed that Anfield is the "toughest place in the Premier League by far" following his role in sparking Manchester City's dramatic late fightback against Liverpool on Sunday.
The City captain also revealed he thought the title race might be slipping away before the stunning turnaround on Merseyside.
Pep Guardiola's players, who are second in the Premier League table, were trailing 1-0 with just six minutes left on the clock, courtesy of a superb 74th-minute free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai, before mounting an extraordinary comeback through Silva's 84th-minute leveller and Erling Haaland's 93rd-minute spot-kick to secure a 2-1 victory. The win reduced City's deficit to Arsenal at the Premier League summit to six points with 13 matches remaining.
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk disagrees with Arne Slot as Liverpool boss fumes after Man City defeatREAD MORE: Liverpool injury latest and possible return dates including Joe Gomez before Sunderland game
Speaking to Sky Sports, Silva said: "Coming to Anfield is the toughest place in the Premier League by far.
"Usually, for most teams, a draw is not a bad result, but we needed to go for another goal. When I scored, I was happy because we were back in the game, but we needed another one, and Erling got us that one.
"I feel the whole team knew today, before this game, if we lost, probably the title race is over, and they are still in a much better position than us, but we felt like we needed to win this game.
Manchester City's win keeps the title race alive
Manchester City's win keeps the title race alive(Image: Getty Images)
"Obviously, that puts us a bit closer. The hope is there, we are going to fight until the end, but six points is still six points, so we are happy, but we need to keep doing our job. These points count as much as any other points in any other game.
"It has been quite frustrating at the beginning of the year because, in my opinion, we did not do our job properly, and we could be much closer to Arsenal.
"As I said, this is the toughest place to go in England, and for me to get the first win in nine seasons, apart from the Covid year, you must imagine how tough it is to win here."
It marked only City's second victory in seven matches, and manager Pep Guardiola, celebrating his first triumph at Anfield as a manager in front of supporters, wasn't about to get ahead of himself.
Guardiola said: "Six points is better than nine, but it's still a lot considering how strong Arsenal are in all departments. But 13 games is a lot in the Premier League. The FA Cup is coming, the final of the Carabao Cup, the Champions League is here.
"There are many games, injuries, every team playing for something. The last 10 games, from my experience, are not a drama but so difficult. The important thing is to be there and improve."
The match concluded amid controversy when Rayan Cherki netted what appeared to be a third City goal from inside his own half, only for play to be called back for a foul on Haaland by Szoboszlai, who was subsequently shown a red card.
Szoboszlai, who had found the net for Liverpool with a spectacular free-kick after 74 minutes, received his marching orders.
Article continues below
Guardiola said: "Common sense, come on. I know he pulled him, but how many pulls are there in a game when referees play on? Give a goal, 3-1, Szoboszlai can play, and we're happy."