Dominik Szoboszlai will now face a suspension after his late red card in a chaotic ending to Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
Having earlier put the Reds in front with a stunning free kick, the Hungarian ran back to try and prevent a third goal for the visitors deep into added time, with Alisson Becker caught upfield as the home side sought a last-gasp equaliser.
Although Rayan Cherki’s speculative effort from distance trickled over the line, our number 8 had chased back to try and prevent the goal. In doing so, he had a hold of Erling Haaland’s shirt, with the Norwegian striker then returning the ‘favour’ to leave the officials with a decision to make.
Szoboszlai sent off after VAR review
After consulting with the pitchside VAR monitor, Craig Pawson disallowed the goal and showed a red card to Szoboszlai for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO), having grabbed the Man City number 9’s jersey first before the treatment was reciprocated.
Gary Neville on Sky Sports co-commentary was furious over the intervention from Stockley Park as he raged: “Talk about a killjoy. They have just killed one of the great moments of the season.
“It would make more sense to offset Szoboszlai’s and Haaland’s fouls and allow the goal to stand Probably not in the laws, though, and common sense never prevails.”
No doubt Dermot Gallagher will be wheeled out tomorrow morning to pontificate to us that the officials got it right by the letter of the law, but that hasn’t helped either team at Anfield today, especially not Liverpool.
Already having to deputise as an emergency right-back because of the injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, Szoboszlai will now face a suspension, thus adding to the selection woes for Arne Slot.
How many games will Szoboszlai miss through suspension?
The only minor consolation for the Reds is that, while it may have been a direct red card, that it wasn’t for violent conduct means that the 25-year-old will only be ruled out for one Premier League match, which is the typical ban for DOGSO (Sporting News).
Nonetheless, that causes a further headache for Liverpool when they travel to face Sunderland on Wednesday night, a fixture that the Hungarian midfielder will now miss. The likeliest scenario is that Curtis Jones is pressed into action at right-back at the Stadium of Light.
It’s a problem that Slot and LFC could really have done without, on top of every other blow they’ve had this season, and it could’ve been so easily avoided if it weren’t for VAR being overly officious yet again. Unfortunately, the clock can’t be turned back and Szoboszlai will have to watch from afar in midweek.
You can view the incident which led to Szoboszlai’s red card below, via @SkySportsPL on X:
A CHAOTIC end to the game at Anfield! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/RYtK2yxriM
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2026
As far as I know, for a referee to grant a penalty, the player must drop in the box. Haaland kept on running and foul Szoboslai later on, preventing him for saving the goal. Who is more at fault?
Getting to be the norm at Liverpool, losing games to late goals. As usual excuses from slot. Under klopp there was a gameplan, an identity, high line, pressing, strong midfield winning the ball back quickly.
It didn’t always work, but players knew what their role was, it brought great success, and the only blip was because FSG let the midfield age and degrade and didn’t strengthen after winning the league.
We’ve become a counter attacking team with no midfield that just relies on individual brilliance to win games. We are not a team, and can’t defend even when we have 11 players behind the ball. The first 35 minutes against Newcastle we were like the away side at Anfield, and won the game on the counter attack. We are a clone of Eric ten hag when he was at Manchester United. It’s a sign of a poor coach that wants to play counter attacking football at home.
It’s why Manchester United haven’t got anywhere since Ferguson. Carrick is playing the same way, in the end you’ll get found out playing this way.
Champions league looking less likely with every game, very long way back if we don’t get champions league next season. Slot needs to go. We are in decline
I would be more concerned about the long term future of our best players without champions league next season. Starting with Szoboszlai. He hasn’t yet signed a new contract, real Madrid as usual are hovering around and looking at pinching our best. Why would Szoboszlai sign a new contract without champions league. Why would Alexis mac allister. Another player real Madrid want. Especially if klopp gets appointed. There will be consequences for Liverpool football club if we don’t get champions league next season. A massive revenue drop, Chelsea and Manchester United will get stronger. Our best players will go. In football if you don’t react at the right time you get left behind. Have a long look at the premier league table. It’s grim reading, with tough fixtures on the way. Chelsea and Manchester smell blood. We have the biggest wage BILL in the premier league by the way, deduct champions league revenues for next season. Dithering by FSG will now come back to haunt us. Say goodbye to Szoboszlai. Another one for real Madrid.