Key Points
- Manchester City defeated Liverpool 4-3 in a thrilling Premier League match at Anfield on 21 February 2026, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick.
- Mohamed Salah scored two goals for Liverpool, while Darwin Núñez added one, but City held on for the win.
- Key goals: Salah (14′), Haaland (27′), Phil Foden (39′), Núñez (52′), Haaland (64′ after VAR), Salah (77′), Haaland (88′).
- VAR controversy surrounded Haaland’s second goal, initially flagged offside but upheld after review, involving Ibrahima Konaté’s trailing foot.
- Kevin De Bruyne provided two assists for City’s goals.
- The result sees Manchester City move clear at the top of the Premier League table, boosting their title race momentum.
- Standout performances: Haaland (hat-trick hero), De Bruyne (two assists), Salah (two goals in defeat).
- Liverpool’s defence, including Virgil van Dijk and Konaté, struggled against Haaland.
- Broader context: Real Madrid won 2-0 with Jude Bellingham scoring, Paris Saint-Germain victorious with Kylian Mbappé goal.
- Social media erupted over VAR decision and match drama.
Liverpool (Liverpool Standard) February 21, 2026 – Anfield witnessed footballing pandemonium as Manchester City snatched a 4-3 victory over Liverpool in a Premier League blockbuster that redefined the title race. Erling Haaland’s ruthless hat-trick proved decisive, overshadowing Mohamed Salah’s brilliant brace, in a match packed with goals, controversy, and high drama.
What Happened in the First Half?
The game exploded into life early, setting the tone for a seven-goal thriller. As detailed in the initial match report by the ad-hoc-news.de team on 21 February 2026 at 15:21:26, Liverpool struck first on 14 minutes. Mohamed Salah curled a exquisite left-footed finish into the far corner past Ederson after Liverpool’s high press won the ball. It was classic Salah: first touch to shift, second to kill, silencing any pre-match nerves.
Manchester City responded swiftly. On 27 minutes, Kevin De Bruyne slid a precise through ball between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, allowing Haaland to unleash a thunderbolt across Alisson for 1-1. The Norwegian’s one-touch setup and finish epitomised his clinical edge.
City then took control. In the 39th minute, a recycled corner fell to Phil Foden on the edge of the box. Foden chopped inside and whipped a right-footed curler that deflected slightly off Andy Robertson en route to the top corner, making it 2-1. Anfield fell silent as Pep Guardiola celebrated wildly on the touchline, per eyewitness accounts from the ad-hoc-news.de live coverage.
This first-half carnage left Liverpool trailing but far from defeated, with the scoreline reflecting City’s growing dominance.
How Did the Second Half Unfold?
The restart brought immediate fireworks. On 52 minutes, Trent Alexander-Arnold slipped Salah in behind down the right, and Salah squared for Darwin Núñez to slide home from close range, levelling at 2-2. The Anfield crowd roared back to life, sensing a classic comeback.
Drama peaked on 64 minutes when Foden’s low cross found Haaland for what appeared his second. The linesman’s flag rose for offside, sparking a lengthy VAR review. The decision stood: Konaté’s trailing foot played Haaland onside. Anfield howled in protest, with Jürgen Klopp visibly raging on the touchline. The ad-hoc-news.de report captured the moment:
“Anfield howled, Jürgen Klopp raged on the touchline, but the scoreboard flipped to 3-2 City.”
Liverpool fought back relentlessly. On 77 minutes, Luis Díaz danced past Kyle Walker, cut the ball back, and Salah smashed a first-time volley into the roof of the net for 3-3. It evoked memories of those storied Anfield nights where Liverpool refuse to yield.
City, however, summoned their champions’ mentality. In the 88th minute, De Bruyne delivered a teasing back-post cross. Haaland outmuscled Konaté in the air, burying a towering header for his hat-trick and the 4-3 winner. The ad-hoc-news.de summary hailed it as
“three goals for Erling Haaland – a true big-game monster performance.”
Who Were the Key Performers?
Standout individuals shaped this epic. Erling Haaland of Manchester City emerged as the undisputed hero. As per ad-hoc-news.de’s player analysis, he delivered an “absolute machine” hat-trick under pressure, his movement dismantling Liverpool’s back line relentlessly.
Kevin De Bruyne shone brightly too, with two sublime assists dictating tempo and providing calm creativity when needed most. The report praised him: “Two sublime assists, constantly dictating the tempo.”
Mohamed Salah, despite defeat, produced a world-class display for Liverpool. His two huge goals and non-stop work dragged his side back twice. Ad-hoc-news.de noted:
“Two huge goals, worked non-stop, and dragged Liverpool back into it twice. Couldn’t do more.”
Conversely, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté struggled. They were bullied by Haaland at crucial junctures, falling short of their dominant best in a match demanding perfection, according to the same source.
Phil Foden and Darwin Núñez also contributed key moments, with Foden’s curler and Núñez’s tap-in adding to the chaos.
Why Is the VAR Decision So Controversial?
The match’s lightning rod was Haaland’s second goal. Initially flagged offside, VAR intervened, ruling Konaté’s foot kept him onside. Ad-hoc-news.de highlighted: “The big talking point, though, is still that VAR offside call on Haaland’s second. On another day, that flag stays up and the title race looks very different right now.”
Liverpool fans and Klopp decried the call, fuelling touchline fury. Social media exploded post-decision, with clips of the check going viral. Neutral observers noted the marginal nature, but for Liverpool, it felt like a pivotal swing. No official post-match quotes from referees were available, but the debate rages on across platforms.
What Does This Mean for the Title Race?
This grenade of a result reshapes the Premier League landscape. Manchester City leapfrog to the top, their goal difference boosted by the 4-3 away triumph in a razor-tight race. Liverpool now chase, per ad-hoc-news.de:
“City move clear at the top while Liverpool suddenly feel like they’re chasing rather than leading. The goal difference swing from a 4–3 away win is huge.”
Live standings, as linked in the original report (BBC Sport Premier League Table), confirm City’s momentum. For neutrals, it was perfection; for Liverpool, gut-wrenching pain. Guardiola’s side lands a potential knockout blow, though Salah’s fire keeps the Reds alive.
How Did European Giants Fare?
Beyond Anfield, continental heavyweights tuned up for Champions League duties. In Spain, Real Madrid secured a 2-0 win with Jude Bellingham smashing the opener from the edge of the box and dominating midfield. Ad-hoc-news.de described him as “brutally efficient.”
In France, Paris Saint-Germain cruised, Kylian Mbappé adding to his tally via a burst down the left, cut inside, and low finish. It keeps PSG sharp, as noted:
“Business as usual, but it keeps PSG sharp heading into their Champions League nights.”
These results underscore the global stakes, with Premier League drama mirroring elite European tension.
What Are Fans Saying on Social Media?
The internet ignited post-match. The Haaland VAR clip dominated feeds, with Liverpool supporters decrying the defence and decision, while City fans celebrated Haaland’s monstrosity. Ad-hoc-news.de captured the vibe:
“The second Haaland ‘onside’ decision hit the big screen, the internet just exploded. Fans from both sides have gone nuclear over that VAR check and the defending from Liverpool’s back line.”
Hashtags like #HaalandHatTrick, #AnfieldThriller, and #VARControversy trended, amplifying the chaos. Clips of Salah’s goals and Haaland’s header amassed millions of views, cementing the match’s Hollywood status.
This 4-3 epic transcends a single result; it ignites the Premier League’s defining narrative. With Haaland’s ice-cold finishing, Salah’s Anfield magic, and VAR-fueled controversy, the title race promises more fireworks. Manchester City’s edge feels tangible, but Liverpool’s resilience endures. Football, at its rawest, delivered on 21 February 2026.
