The final whistle at Anfield brought not relief, but a whirlwind of controversy, as Manchester City secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Liverpool, overshadowed by a chaotic VAR decision that saw Dominik Szoboszlai controversially sent off.
- Manchester City snatched a dramatic 2-1 win at Anfield in a pulsating top-of-the-table clash.
- Dominik Szoboszlai was shown a direct red card in the 99th minute after a VAR review.
- The incident saw a potential Manchester City third goal disallowed due to a foul earlier in the build-up.
- Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola, and Gary Neville all voiced strong opinions against the referee's final call.
Anfield Erupts: The Late Game Controversy Explained
The cauldron of Anfield lived up to its reputation, delivering a breathless encounter that culminated in a moment of sheer pandemonium. With Manchester City leading 2-1 deep into stoppage time, Liverpool pushed for an equalizer, sending goalkeeper Alisson up for a corner. This opened the door for a lightning-fast City counter-attack.
Rayan Cherki launched a ball from his own half, finding Erling Haaland racing towards an open goal. Szoboszlai desperately tried to recover, pulling back the relentless Norwegian, a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity. In a wild sequence, Haaland then pulled Szoboszlai to the ground as the Liverpool midfielder attempted a last-ditch clearance, with the ball ultimately trickling into the net.
The VAR Verdict: Red Card, No Goal!
What followed was a moment of intense confusion. Manchester City players celebrated wildly, believing Cherki had sealed a momentous 3-1 victory. However, the celebrations were cut short by the VAR review. The decision? Cherki's goal was disallowed due to Haaland's foul on Szoboszlai. Simultaneously, Szoboszlai received a direct red card for his earlier foul on Haaland, which was deemed a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity. It was a bewildering outcome that left both sets of fans, and seemingly the players, scratching their heads.
Haaland's Frustration: "Just Give the Goal!"
Erling Haaland, Manchester City's star striker, was visibly frustrated by the VAR intervention. Post-match, he expressed sympathy for his opponent, Dominik Szoboszlai, who now faces a three-game suspension. "The referee has to follow the rules," Haaland conceded to Sky Sports, "but this will give him three games. I feel bad for him... Just give the goal, don't give red cards, it's as simple as that." He highlighted the impact on Szoboszlai, suggesting the goal would have been a fairer resolution for everyone.
Pundits and Coaches Weigh In on the Anfield Drama
The controversial call sparked immediate debate among football legends and managers. Gary Neville, co-commentating for Sky Sports, vehemently criticized the decision live on air. "I just don't get this," he exclaimed, labeling it "unjust" and a "killjoy" moment that "killed one of the great moments of the season." Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola echoed the sentiment, simply stating, "Come on referee, give the goal and go home." In contrast, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane embraced the chaos, claiming it "just added to the drama" and was "great" for the spectacle.
City's Title Charge: A Monumental Win
Despite the late drama and the VAR fallout, the cold hard truth remains: Manchester City secured a monumental 2-1 victory at Anfield, their first since 2021. The game itself was a classic, with Szoboszlai initially putting Liverpool ahead with a stunning free-kick. Bernardo Silva equalized ten minutes later, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Haaland's stoppage-time penalty, following a foul by Alisson on Matheus Nunes, clinched the crucial three points. This hard-fought win leaves City just six points behind league leaders Arsenal with 13 matches left to play, intensifying the Premier League title race. While the debate over VAR will rage on, City's title aspirations just got a massive boost.
.jpg)
.jpg)