Dominik Szoboszlai will miss Liverpool's next match due to his red card during their defeat to Manchester City
Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off for Liverpool against Manchester City.
Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off for Liverpool against Manchester City.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Dominik Szoboszlai will miss Liverpool's next trip to Sunderland following his red card against Manchester City.
The Hungarian was shown a straight red card in bizarre circumstances after the Liverpool midfielder raced back with Erling Haaland, before going to ground as he chased Rayan Cherki's effort. City's French star thought he scored from the halfway line with Alisson Becker out of his goal but following the intervention of VAR, Craig Pawson brought the incident back.
Szoboszlai was adjudged to have denied a goalscoring opportunity after pulling the Norwegian back during their foot race before the two tangled and went to ground. Pawson ruled out the goal and brought play back after the advantage wasn't fulfilled from the Hungarian's pull on Haaland.
With the red card, he will now serve a one-match suspension for denial of a goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO) rather than three matches for other red card offences.
It means that he will be available for selection in next weekend's FA Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion and the the visit to Nottingham Forest on February 22.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageBut for Liverpool, it means that they now have one less option for their trip to the North East after Szoboszlai has been utilised from right-back.
Already, Arne Slot has been forced to overcome selection headaches after injuries to Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, while Joe Gomez has endured his own troubles.
The Premier League Match Centre posted: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Manchester City. Referee announcement: "After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, that pulls the shirt of Dominic Szoboszlai.
"Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The final decision is a direct free kick to Manchester City and a red card.”
Szoboszlai had fired Liverpool ahead with just 15 minutes remaining after a superb free-kick.
However, City hit back through Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland in the closing stages to turn the showdown on its head.
Silva ghosted behind the Reds defence to stab home before a moment of madness from Alisson Becker that saw the Brazilian clatter Matheus Nunes in the box.
The defeat handed the Reds a brutal blow in their Champions League qualification hopes and leaves Liverpool five points off Manchester United in fourth place and four behind Chelsea.
Brentford are level on points with Liverpool after their impressive 3-2 win at Newcastle United but the Reds remain in sixth on goals scored.
Liverpool make the trip to the North East in midweek but they come up against a Sunderland side who haven't lost at home all season.