Manchester City snatched a crucial 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield on February 8, 2026, a result that captain Bernardo Silva admitted was vital to keep their Premier League title hopes alive. The win, characterized by a dramatic late comeback, saw City close the gap on league leaders Arsenal to six points.
Silva revealed the team felt immense pressure heading into the match, understanding that a loss would have all but ended their chances of securing the title. "I feel the whole team knew before the game, if we lost it then the title race was probably over," Silva told Sky Sports after the game. He acknowledged the difficulty of playing at Anfield, describing it as "the toughest place in the Premier League by far".
The match unfolded with City dominating the first half but failing to convert their chances. Liverpool took the lead in the 74th minute through a stunning free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai. The home crowd's jubilation, however, was short-lived as City responded ten minutes later.
In the 84th minute, Silva equalized, capitalizing on a header from Erling Haaland. The goal injected new life into City's attack, and the game intensified. The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time when Haaland converted a penalty after Matheus Nunes was fouled by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
The final minutes were filled with chaos. Rayan Cherki had a goal ruled out for a prior foul, and Szoboszlai was sent off for pulling back Haaland. Despite the late drama, City managed to hold on for the win, securing their first league victory at Anfield in front of fans since 2003.
Silva expressed his satisfaction with the result but cautioned that these points "count as much as any in any other game". He admitted to frustrations earlier in the year, feeling the team hadn't performed to their potential and could have been closer to Arsenal.
The victory represents a significant boost for Manchester City's title aspirations, injecting confidence and momentum into their campaign. City now sit in second place, closing the gap on Arsenal and reigniting the Premier League title race.