Liverpool’s Premier League defeat to Manchester City ended in dramatic fashion, with Dominik Szoboszlai being sent off.
How quickly a game can change. Arne Slot went from nearly beating one of the best teams in England to losing both the match and his best player in the space of less than 20 minutes.
Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stunning free-kick to fire Liverpool in front after 74 minutes.
However, the Hungarian’s joy quickly soured when he played Bernardo Silva onside for Man City’s equaliser.
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Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Then, Alisson gave away a clumsy penalty to allow Erling Haaland to make it 2-1 in the 93rd minute.
The nightmare wasn’t over there, however, as a VAR review meant Szoboszlai was shown a red card in the 13th minute of injury time.
Mark Clattenburg reacts to Dominik Szoboszlai red card vs Man City
There were just seconds of the game to play when Liverpool won a corner. In turn, Alisson was sent up to try and nick a late equaliser.
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He failed to do so, with Man City instead breaking at pace via Rayan Cherki and Haaland.
Cherki slipped in the Norwegian, who was being chased down by Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian tugged at Haaland’s shirt, with the City striker then returning the favour. The ball did eventually end up in the back of the net, and was initially given as a goal by Craig Pawson.
However, a VAR review eventually led to the effort being ruled out, an indirect free-kick being given instead, and Szoboszlai being sent off.
Now, Rousing The Kop have spoken exclusively to former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, who explained why the right decision was made.
He said: “What a finish to the game, and I think Craig Pawson, the referee, got caught up in the emotion.
“There is a clear shirt pull on Erling Haaland by Dominik Szoboszlai to prevent the Manchester City forward from playing the ball. The referee can and did play the advantage, but when Haaland pulls back Szoboszlai and trips him to prevent him from clearing the ball off the line, a free-kick had to be given.
“You cannot say that both pulls even themselves up so the referee can award the goal, this is not in the rules.
“The VAR correctly recommended a review to show that the first offence by Szoboszlai is a red card for the denying of a goalscoring opportunity, and a goal could not be awarded due to Haaland fouling Szoboszlai after the advantage was played. In the end, the right outcome was reached.”
Really disappointing result at Anfield. What went wrong?
Bernardo Silva celebrates after scoring for Manchester City against Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield (Credit: Getty Photo Credit: Getty Images
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Who will play right-back vs Sunderland?
With Szoboszlai now suspended, Liverpool’s right-back options have taken a further hit.
All three of their senior options missed Sunday’s match due to injury, hence why the Hungarian was filling in.
Now, with Szoboszlai out on Wednesday, it is likely that Curtis Jones or Wataru Endo will play out of position.
Joe Gomez may be an option, though it remains to be seen if he’s fit enough to feature.
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