In one of the most chaotic Premier League matches of the season, Liverpool were beaten 2–1 by Manchester City at Anfield in a game that descended into late drama. The contest ended controversially, with Dominik Szoboszlai sent off and a dramatic City goal chalked off.
Szoboszlai had given Liverpool the lead with a sensational free-kick to make it 1–0. Pep Guardiola’s side responded late on through Bernardo Silva, who equalised with just six minutes of normal time remaining. Deep into stoppage time, Alisson Becker brought down Matheus Nunes inside the box, allowing Erling Haaland to convert the resulting penalty and put City 2–1 ahead.
In a desperate attempt to salvage something, Alisson went forward for a final set-piece in the dying seconds. The move broke down, and the ball was eventually cleared to Rayan Cherki near the halfway line. His slow effort towards goal led to an unusual tussle between Szoboszlai and Haaland as both players grappled while chasing the ball, which eventually rolled into the net.
However, VAR intervened, ruling out the goal and issuing a red card to Szoboszlai for illegally holding Haaland and denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
Referee Craig Pawson later explained the decision via a Premier League statement, saying:
“After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, who pulls the shirt of Dominik Szoboszlai. Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity. The final decision is a direct free kick to Manchester City and a red card.”
Gary Neville strongly disagreed with the ruling, calling it unfair and confusing. “He’s saying you can’t play advantage, but then ignores the biggest advantage of all,” Neville said. “There’s no football person who would disallow that goal.”
Journalist Sam Lee also criticised the decision on X, suggesting the referee should have allowed play to continue. “If the ref thought Szoboszlai fouled Haaland in real time, he would’ve played advantage — which would’ve been the goal. VAR again, absolute nonsense. GET RID,” he wrote.
Interestingly, Haaland defended the referee’s call but admitted he felt sorry for Szoboszlai. Speaking after the match, he said:
“The referee has to follow the rules, but I feel bad for him because he now gets a three-game ban. Just give the goal and don’t give the red card — simple. But that’s the rules.”
Haaland also appeared frustrated with Cherki, adding:
“In the end, Cherki should just pass me the ball so I can score. But he didn’t, so that’s how it went.”
