The Premier League has explained Dominik Szoboszlai's bizarre red card against Manchester City at Anfield, despite facing backlash for denying a goal with another VAR controversy
19:21, 08 Feb 2026
Dominik Szoboszlai will now receive a suspension and add to Liverpool's roster concerns
Dominik Szoboszlai will now receive a suspension and add to Liverpool's roster concerns(Image: AFP or licensors)
Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off in the closing stages of Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, and the Premier League failed to correctly spell his name when explaining the bizarre decision.
After scoring a stunning free kick to hand Liverpool the lead, Szoboszlai was sent off for fouling Erling Haaland as City scored a late third goal at Anfield. However, Rayan Cherki's goal was later ruled out, and Szoboszlai received a red card instead.
The match finished 2-1 to City, but the ending has led to extreme confusion as Szoboszlai could have avoided a red card if the goal had been given. Instead, City won by a smaller margin, and Szoboszlai will miss precious game time, but the Premier League explained the incident.
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Premier League Match Centre attempted to clear up confusion with a post on X, but awkwardly misspelled Szoboszlai's name. "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Manchester City," the Premier League wrote on X.
The referee's announcement was then quoted. "After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, that pulls the shirt of Dominic [sic] Szoboszlai," the referee said, although his first name was mispelled.
"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."
The Premier League mispelled Dominik Szoboszlai's first name when explaining his red card
The Premier League mispelled Dominik Szoboszlai's first name when explaining his red card(Image: X)
It wasn't a malicious foul by Szoboszlai, and although there is a lasting rivalry between Liverpool and City, even Haaland felt sorry for his opponent.
"For me, the referee has to follow the rules, but in the end, he gets three games (suspended). I feel bad for him," Haaland told Sky Sports.
Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville was disgusted by the officiating decision, claiming that common sense should be applied more often. While the officials were following the FA rulebook, the outcome wasn't what either team wanted.
"I just don't get this. He's fouled him. That's the foul," Neville said moments after the incident. "That feels so unjust. I know there's rules but there is the smell of the game.
Dominik Szoboszlai fouls Erling Haaland at the end of Sunday's game
Dominik Szoboszlai was shown a straight red card after a VAR review for tugging Erling Haaland's shirt(Image: AFP or licensors)
"No referee should disallow that goal but it is going to be disallowed. Talk about killjoy. Just let the goal be. You have just killed one of the great moments of the season."
Neville doubled down on his stance after the game had ended, slamming VAR and the current state of soccer. "You live to watch games like this," he said.
"I am a fan of VAR but it has just killed the joy. The reason fans watch football matches is for entertainment and for moments like that."
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Szoboszlai will now miss the midweek Premier League clash against Sunderland, but denying a goalscoring opportunity leads to a one-match ban. The traditional three-match ban for all red cards has since been changed to a violent conduct ban.