Manchester City secured a valuable and thrilling victory over host Liverpool with a score of two goals to one, in the match that brought the two teams together in the 25th round of the English Premier League, which was held today, Sunday, at Anfield Stadium.
The match witnessed great excitement, especially in its final minutes, after the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in more than one decisive moment, resulting in a disallowed goal and a red card.
With this victory, Manchester City recorded its first win at Anfield in five years, with its last victory there dating back to the 2020-2021 season, when it defeated Liverpool four goals to one in the 23rd round of the Premier League.
Marmoush and Salah play full match
Egyptian international Omar Marmoush started for Manchester City, before leaving the pitch in the 61st minute, with Ryan Cherki coming on as his substitute, while Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah played the entire match.
With this win, Manchester City raised its tally to 50 points in second place in the English Premier League table, while Liverpool’s points remained frozen at 39 points in sixth place.
Match Description
Both teams entered the match strongly from the first minutes, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker saving a clear chance after blocking an early one-on-one from Norwegian Erling Haaland in the second minute.
In the 22nd minute, Omar Marmoush shot from inside the penalty area but the ball hit one of Liverpool’s defenders, while Mohamed Salah responded with a shot in the 28th minute after a rebound from goalkeeper Donnarumma, but it went over the crossbar.
Marmoush received a yellow card in the 42nd minute of the first half.
In the second half, Hugo Ekitike wasted a dangerous chance in the 53rd minute with a shot from distance, before wasting another chance just three minutes later after a brilliant cross from Salah with the outside of his foot.
Thrilling goals and a dramatic ending
Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring for Liverpool in the 74th minute with a fantastic rocket shot from a direct free kick that Donnarumma was unable to save.
Manchester City managed to equalize ten minutes later, through Bernardo Silva, benefiting from a superb through ball from Haaland.
In the first minute of stoppage time, Matheus Nunes earned a penalty after a foul by Alisson, which Haaland successfully converted to score the winning goal.
The excitement continued, after Donnarumma saved a powerful shot from Alexis Mac Allister in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
One minute later, Ryan Cherki scored a third goal into the empty net after Alisson had advanced in an attempt to equalize. However, the referee consulted VAR, deciding to disallow the goal, award a direct free kick, and send off Dominik Szoboszlai, for pulling Haaland’s shirt outside the penalty area and a foul occurring before the ball crossed the goal line.
The Final Whistle
Manchester City maintained its lead until the final whistle, securing one of the most exciting matches of the season and returning with a historic victory from Anfield after an absence of five years.
Manchester City
Manchester City is a professional football club based in Manchester, England, founded in 1880 as St. Mark’s (West Gorton). The club has a long history, with its most transformative period beginning in 2008 following its acquisition by the Abu Dhabi United Group, leading to unprecedented domestic success in the Premier League era.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a historic port city in northwest England, which grew to global prominence during the 18th and 19th centuries due to its pivotal role in trade, including the transatlantic slave trade, and as a major emigration port. Its cultural significance is recognized worldwide, notably through the legacy of The Beatles and its two historic cathedrals, leading to its UNESCO World Heritage status for its maritime mercantile city, though this status was later removed in 2021.
Anfield
Anfield is a football stadium in Liverpool, England, and the historic home of Liverpool Football Club since 1892. Originally the home of Everton FC from 1884 to 1891, the stadium is globally famous for its intense atmosphere, particularly on the Kop stand, and has been a venue for many major European football matches.
Anfield Stadium
Anfield Stadium is the historic home of Liverpool Football Club, having been the club’s ground since 1892. Originally the home of Everton FC from 1884 to 1891, the stadium is globally renowned for its atmosphere, particularly in the famous Kop stand.
English Premier League
The English Premier League is the top professional football division in England, founded in 1992 when clubs from the Football League First Division broke away to form a new commercially independent league. It has since grown into one of the world’s most popular and lucrative sports leagues, known for its global fanbase and competitive nature.
Video Assistant Referee
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is a technological system used in association football to assist match officials by reviewing decisions. It was formally introduced into the Laws of the Game by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in 2018, following extensive trials that began around 2016. The system utilizes video footage and a headset for communication to help overturn clear errors in key match-changing situations like goals, penalties, and red cards.
VAR
VAR, or Video Assistant Referee, is a technology system used in football (soccer) to assist match officials in making decisions. It was formally introduced into the Laws of the Game by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in 2018 after extensive trials. The system reviews decisions related to goals, penalties, direct red cards, and mistaken identity using video footage and a headset for communication with the on-field referee.
Omar Marmoush
Omar Marmoush is an Egyptian professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for the German club Eintracht Frankfurt and the Egypt national team. He began his senior career at Wadi Degla in Egypt before moving to Wolfsburg in Germany, and his performances have made him a notable figure in contemporary African football.
Ryan Cherki
Ryan Cherki is a French professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Lyon. He is a product of Lyon’s youth academy and made his first-team debut in 2019, becoming known for his technical skill and creativity.
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liverpool FC and captains the Egypt national team. Rising from humble beginnings in Nagrig, Egypt, he has become one of the world’s most celebrated players, known for his speed and goal-scoring prowess. His success has made him a major cultural icon in Egypt and the Arab world, symbolizing pride and sporting excellence.
Alisson Becker
Alisson Becker is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Liverpool FC and the Brazil national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, known for his crucial saves and composure, and he played a key role in Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League and Premier League title victories.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland is a Norwegian professional footballer renowned as one of the world’s best strikers, currently playing for Manchester City. He rose to prominence at Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund before his record-breaking transfer to the English Premier League, where he has achieved numerous scoring accolades.
Donnarumma
Donnarumma is not a recognized place or cultural site, but a prominent Italian surname, most famously associated with footballer Gianluigi Donnarumma. As such, it does not have a history as a location. The name itself is of Italian origin, meaning “of the rum,” but it is primarily known through contemporary sports figures rather than a specific heritage site.
Hugo Ekitike
Hugo Ekitike is not a place or cultural site, but a professional French footballer who plays as a forward. He began his senior career at Stade de Reims in Ligue 1 before transferring to Paris Saint-Germain in 2022.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Dominik Szoboszlai is a Hungarian professional footballer, not a place or cultural site. He is a midfielder and captain for the Hungarian national team, known for his technical skill and leadership. He rose to prominence at Red Bull Salzburg before moving to RB Leipzig and later joining Liverpool FC in 2023.
Bernardo Silva
Bernardo Silva is a Portuguese professional footballer, not a place or cultural site. He currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester City and the Portugal national team, having begun his senior career at Benfica before notable spells at Monaco and then Manchester City from 2017.
Matheus Nunes
Matheus Nunes is a professional footballer from Portugal who plays as a midfielder. He began his senior career at Estoril in Portugal before gaining prominence at Sporting CP, which led to transfers to clubs in the English Premier League.
Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister is a professional Argentine footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liverpool FC and the Argentina national team. He began his senior career at Argentinos Juniors in 2016 before moving to Brighton & Hove Albion in 2019, and he was a key member of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
