Liverpool 1-2 Man City: Haaland scores late winner, fan invades pitch for disallowed goal

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “A lot has happened, which is normal in this fixture. For us we are disappointed to come away without a result

“In the first half, Manchester City were the better team without creating many big chances but they had the ball more in our half. The second half, we were on top and had good moments. We went 1-0 up and hardly gave anything away. Just before the end, one deflected cross falls good for them and It’s 1-1. We tried to prevent and they won the first header. Good anticipation from Bernardo [Silva] and good finish.

“We are getting almost used to conceding a goal in extra time, it happened again today.

On Szoboszlai’s red card: “That is not the incident we should talk about. Maybe he should have left it for a goal as it is, but if that is the rule that is what we have to accept.

“If there is any incident we should talk about, it’s when Mo Salah is one on one with the goalkeeper. Anyone who has been to this stadium in the last seven or eight years, that is a goal for Salah. Once again, the referee decides not in our favour. They have to do their job.”

Can you look at this game positively? “Of course. Second half we pressed really high and played good football. You cannot compare this game with three or four months ago, we have improved so much – but we need to improve the results. So many times this year we haven’t got what I think we deserve and this is another time.”

Slot, speaking to Sky Sports: “Another great Liverpool-Man City game as we have seen over the years. It is a very disappointing outcome.

“They were more comfortable on the ball than us and it didn’t lead to many big chances. Second half it was the opposite. And then for them when they were near our box it was a goal which is disappointing. We had chances when Curtis Jones has the ball and Salah makes a deep run. Unfortunately, Guehi intercepted it and then we all saw what happened.

“If the game goes on, you are always hoping you can keep the energy going and then sometimes they make mistakes. We had a good and impressive second half but unfortunately it was not a positive result.”

On the decisions given in the game: “We can talk about the decisions. I would like to talk about the one time Mo was through on goal and Guehi holds his shirt. Everyone who has been in this stadium in the last eight years knows if Mo is in that position it is a goal. So it is denial of a goalscoring opportunity.”

“Why did Cherki not pass to me?!” 😅

Erling Haaland’s message to Marc Guehi at full-time! pic.twitter.com/fFnQvVSoeO

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2026

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, speaking to Sky Sports: “For the distance that we have to Arsenal, coming here it is the toughest place in the Premier League by far but we needed to go for another goal. When I scored, I was happy but we needed another and Erling got it.

“Very happy, but these points count as much as any in any other game. It has been frustrating the beginning of the year because we have not done our job properly. We could be closer to Arsenal. For me, you must imagine how tough it is to win here but I am really happy.

“I feel the whole team knew before the game if we lost it then the title race was probably over. We felt like we needed to win. The hope is there and we are going to fight until the end. We need to keep doing our job that we haven’t lately.”

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, speaking to Sky Sports about his penalty: “I was really nervous right before and all my thoughts were getting it in the back of the net. Incredible feeling and also incredible feeling when Bernardo scored. Incredible feelings.

“You see it in the second half, they managed to play good football. Look at Gigi (Donnarumma) the save he makes, it is incredible. That shows why he is the best in the world.

“Let’s be honest, this place is so tough to come to and we knew this. We started well and we managed to stay in it and never give up. In the end, this is what we need to keep doing. We need to start winning games. That is what matters. Simple as that.”

On the VAR decision to send Dominik Szoboszlai off: “I think for me, the referee of course has to follow the rules but this will give him three games. I feel bad for him. Just let it be a goal. But those are the rules and this is how it is.”

Haaland speaking to BBC Match of the Day about Dominik Szoboszlai’s red card: “Honestly, first of all Cherki just pass the ball and I score. Secondly, he pulls me and then I pull him and we score so just give the goal and no red card. But the referee needs to follow the rules. Third, the penalty, incredible feeling. Fourth, Gigi Donnarumma incredible save. Incredible game and for me, I was so tired after the game. Incredible feeling after the game.

“I said to the referee just give the goal. That’s what everyone wanted and I hope that he only gets a maximum of one game because I know you need to follow the rules but for me, just use common sense. For me, you need to follow the rules so I respect the referee.”

On his penalty: “It had to go in. I didn’t score at Anfield but I managed to score now so amazing feeling and I was pretty nervous. The people around me know I am nervous. My Mrs knows I am nervous and my father knows I am nervous! But the rest of the people think I am calm which is good. It is not a bad thing to be nervous. It makes you more sharp in the head which is good.

“It is going to be a good trip back to Manchester on the bus!”

“Anyone who’s been in this stadium for the last eight years knows that if Mo Salah is in that position it’s a goal!”

Arne Slot chuckles in response to questions around refereeing decisions in Liverpool’s defeat to Man City 🟥 pic.twitter.com/Zb6h8hVVAa

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2026

“We follow him” 🙌

Pep Guardiola credits Bernardo Silva for Man City’s dramatic comeback against Liverpool 👏 pic.twitter.com/3XQJLQ7adR

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2026

Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Amazing free-kick from Dom and then they score and then in the end the decision of the ref to give a penalty and they go 2-1. It was difficult after it.

“City were far better than us in the first half but in the second half, we were far better than them. That’s why it’s difficult to come away with nothing.

“When we played them away, they beat us 3-0. We had control today but we have to move on. Sunderland is waiting for us.”

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk spoke to Sky Sports: “First half they were much more comfortable on the ball. We tried to be more direct and tried to put the problem in their half but we weren’t good enough.

“Second half we were much better and dominant on the ball at times. Dom scored a worldie, they came to press more and got the equaliser. Between the equaliser and the second goal, both teams tried to go for the winner and the penalty moment decides the game.”

Did you feel in complete control after scoring? “You are never in complete control against City, especially when they’re 1-0 down, they will press you even more. They play with a sort of 4-4-2 with a diamond in the middle so you have to communicate well. You always have to be on your toes.

“My feeling, maybe I’m wrong, is that we both tried everything to score the winner but a lot of situations and decisions that decided the game as well. Just in general, moments in the game,

No complaints about referees? “We have no influence on that. Nunes’ penalty, he could have given it, he went so fast. We only have ourselves to blame.

“We have to quickly turn our attention to Sunderland because that will be a tough one, unbeaten at home this season. A good challenge ahead.”

Does this feel like progress despite the result?: “I’m not sure. It’s still a process. The second half maybe felt like a step up but first half we were not in control and should have done better. Unfortunately, the penalty moment was the deciding moment and that is the reality.”