Manchester City secured a pivotal 2-1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield amidst an unexpected VAR controversy. The game featured Dominik Szoboszlai, whose actions resulted in a red card that left fans and commentators astonished.
Match Highlights
The match unfolded dramatically. Szoboszlai opened the scoring for Liverpool with a remarkable free-kick. However, Manchester City soon responded through Bernardo Silva, who equalized, followed by Erling Haaland converting a late penalty to seal the victory for City in stoppage time.
Critical VAR Decision
A wild twist occurred late in the match when Rayan Cherki scored what appeared to be a third goal for Liverpool. The goal was nullified after a VAR review, leading to Szoboszlai being sent off. This action stemmed from a foul committed during the buildup by Erling Haaland on Szoboszlai.
Referee’s Explanation
Referee Craig Pawson addressed the crowd at Anfield, stating, “After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland on the shirt of Dominik Szoboszlai. Before 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.”
Reactions from the Pitch
- Gary Neville, co-commentator on Sky Sports, expressed his disbelief at the ruling, labeling it unjust and claiming, “There’s a smell of the game that’s completely gone.”
- Erling Haaland also shared his confusion regarding the decision, stating, “I feel bad for him [Szoboszlai]. Just give the goal.”
Consequences for Szoboszlai
Szoboszlai’s sending off results in a one-match ban for denying a goalscoring opportunity. This incident has sparked debates about the integrity of officiating in football. The sentiment among some players and fans is that such decisions detract from the essence of the game.
Ultimately, this VAR controversy has led to discussions on how rules are applied in high-stakes matches, particularly when it involves critical moments such as scoring opportunities. El-Balad readers can follow the ongoing discourse as the football community grapples with the implications of these controversial officiating decisions.
