Dominik Szoboszlai was controversially shown a red card late on as Liverpool's game against Manchester City ended in chaos, with the visitors being denied a goal in the process
James Findlater Content Editor
19:31, 08 Feb 2026
Erling Haaland speaking to Sky Sports after Manchester City's win over Liverpool
Erling Haaland expressed sympathy for Dominik Szoboszlai after his sending-off against Manchester City(Image: Sky Sports)
Erling Haaland expressed sympathy for Dominik Szoboszlai after the Liverpool midfielder was sent off in a chaotic end to the clash with Manchester City at Anfield.
The visitors won 2-1 to put another dent in the Reds' top four hopes, and strengthen their own chances of catching Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. Szoboszlai had given Liverpool the lead with another spectacular free-kick in the second half, only for Bernardo Silva to level the score with just minutes remaining.
City then took the lead in stoppage time as Haaland scored from the spot after Matheus Nunes was brought down by Alisson Becker, before the most bizarre of endings saw Szoboszlai controversially given his marching orders.
READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Man City as Florian Wirtz good but 3 struggleREAD MORE: Dominik Szoboszlai controversy as Pep Guardiola ends Liverpool wait - 5 talking points vs Man City
With Alisson having ventured forward to try and help Liverpool find a late equalizer, Rayan Cherki struck the ball towards goal, with Haaland and Szoboszlai chasing after it.
The latter pulled the former's shirt before Haaland responded in kind, bringing both of them down as the ball trickled over the goal line. Just as City though it had made it 3-1 though, referee Craig Pawson was instructed to review the incident by VAR, resulting in the goal being disallowed, and Szoboszlai being shown a red card.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Haaland showed sympathy for his former Red Bull Salzburg teammate, insisting that the goal should have stood, and Szoboszlai should have been spared the red card as a result.
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)
"For me, of course the referee has to follow the rules, but this will give him three games, and in the end I feel bad for him," Haaland said. "He gets three games, just give the goal, don't give red card, simple as that.
"But it's the rules, and it's just how it is. I don't know, in the end, Cherki just passed me the ball so I could score, but that's just how it is."
Although Haaland was under the impression that Szoboszlai will receive a three-game ban for receiving a straight red card, the midfielder is set to receive just a one-match suspension - the usual punishment for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.
Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kits
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
From $100
LFC.com
See the deal
Liverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.
Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.
That means Szoboszlai will miss Liverpool's next game against Sunderland on Wednesday, leaving Arne Slot with another headache after the Hungarian filled in for the injured Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley at right-back.
Article continues below
Haaland wasn't the only one left bemused by the decision to disallow City's goal and send Szoboszlai off, with Gary Neville left fuming on commentary for Sky Sports.
"There is no football person that would disallow that goal, but it’s going to be disallowed," Neville said.
"Talk about a killjoy. Liverpool lose by getting a man sent off, City lose because they don’t get a goal, and everyone’s just asking the question. Just let the goal be. You’ve just killed one of the great moments of the season."