Here’s what Erling Haaland and Dominik Szoboszlai discussed before Haaland’s 93rd minute Anfield winner

Last Updated on 9 February 2026

Erling Haaland thrives in chaos, but even he wanted silence when Manchester City’s title hopes hung by a thread at Anfield. A stoppage-time penalty, a hostile crowd, and an old friend trying to get into his head made for the ultimate pressure test.

Liverpool looked set to land another defining blow in the title race after Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick lit up the night. Yet Manchester City, as they so often do, found a way back when it mattered most.

What followed was a tense, personal duel between two former team-mates. But it was one moment of focus that helped rewrite history on Merseyside.

Erling Haaland lifts the lid on what he said to Dominik Szobszlai in Manchester City’s win

As Haaland stood over the penalty spot in stoppage time, Dominik Szoboszlai tried to play mind games. The Hungarian, who once shared a dressing room with Haaland at RB Salzburg, attempted to distract the Premier League’s most feared striker at the decisive moment.

Haaland later revealed, post-match via The Sun, he wanted none of it. With Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister speaking to him, the Norwegian made his stance clear: this was not the time for conversation.

“This is the first time I don’t want to speak with you,” he told his former team-mate, fully locked in on the task ahead. City hadn’t won at Anfield in front of fans since 2003, and anything less than a win would have left no margin for error in their title race with Arsenal.

Despite admitting he was nervous, Haaland delivered, burying the penalty past Alisson to complete a remarkable late turnaround.

Erling Haaland’s night at Anfield: Quiet but loud with a controversial ending

For long spells, Haaland cut a frustrated figure. He managed just 23 touches, completed only six passes, and lost possession nine times, a peripheral presence by his own lofty standards. But when City needed him, he delivered again.

First came the assist, nodding the ball on for Bernardo Silva to equalise. Then came the penalty that sealed a first league win at Anfield since the Covid era, and only Haaland’s second away goal against Liverpool since joining City.

The night ended sourly for Szoboszlai. He had scored a spectacular free-kick to put Liverpool 1-0 ahead of Manchester City. But eventually, he ended up having a terrible night.

When City believed they had wrapped up the match with Rayan Cherki scoring late on, VAR intervened. Szoboszlai was sent off for pulling Haaland back and denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, a decision Haaland himself felt was too harsh.

“Just give the goal, don’t give a red card,” he said afterwards, admitting he felt bad for his former team-mate facing a three-game ban.