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Erling Haaland ripped off his shirt, raced over to the away supporters and punched the air with a message of defiance.

This was an incredible Manchester City fight back which made it very clear they are going to fight Arsenal every step of the way for the Premier League title. With just six minutes left at Anfield, City were heading towards defeat which would have left them nine points behind.

But Pep Guardiola’s warriors dug deep to stage an incredible turnaround which stunned Liverpool and will have Mikel Arteta looking nervously over his shoulder once again.

It should have actually been 3-1 to City but, between them, the officials actually conjured up a moment of madness to send off Dominik Szobozslai and deny Haaland another goal. Well, these games are rarely dull and it added to the drama and story which will only succeed in strengthening City’s belief that they can still catch Arsenal.

In contrast, Liverpool’s fans filed out at the final whistle after a smattering of boos which was probably more out of frustration than barracking the performance. Arne Slot looked furious and no wonder because his fading champions now find themselves five points off the top four places and their place in next season’s Champions League looks in real jeopardy.

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• Erling Haaland strikes at the death as Man City stun Liverpool late on - 5 talking points

• Liverpool vs Man City ends in chaos as Dominic Szoboszlai sent off by VAR

Liverpool boss Slot will know that he has one hell of a job on his hands to save their season from imploding because their confidence and defence looks so fragile. The away end was bouncing and, as Guardiola and his players went over to the travelling fans, they were punching the air in delight with Haaland leading the chorus of delight.

You write City and Guardiola off at your peril and what was equally telling was that when they looked done and dusted they just found a way to claw it back.

This is a long way from a classic Guardiola team but they showed at Anfield they still retain the title-winning mentality and spirit which has set them apart for so long. It was a pretty ordinary first half lacking in action and drama. City were the better team and Marc Guehi looks an outstanding acquisition but they did nit create much. Nor did Liverpool.

But the second half was a different story. Liverpool were much better as twice Hugo Ekitike went desperately close to scoring. Then Liverpool went ahead. When City conceded yet another clumsy foul, Szobozslai snatched the ball and lined his free kick up from 25 yards out.

Szobozslai strode up, then lined up an unstoppable free kick which swerved and then crashed in off the inside of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s left hand post. It was a carbon copy of his free kick winner against Arsenal back in August.

Anfield erupted as they could sense victory. But City were not done yet. Rayan Cherki whipped in a cross, Haaland flicked on and there was Bernardo Silva - their amazing leader and servant - to stab home from close range.

Then more drama. Matheus Nunes raced through, Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker flew out and upended the City full back. It was a penalty and Haaland converted before racing across to celebrate in front of the away end. City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced an incredible save to deny Alexis Mac Allister from a deflected shot. Then when Liverpool threw the kitchen sink at City more drama followed.

Alisson was caught out of his goal, City cleared and Cherki pumped the ball forward. Haaland outpaced Szobozslai who pulled back the City striker but could not stop him from putting it in.

Rather than just give the goal, referee Craig Pawson - after advice from the buffoons in the VAR centre - pulled the play back, gave Szobozslai a red card and City a free kick which they wasted.

Never mind. City had won anyway.

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