Dominik Szoboszlai will be banned for Liverpool's game against Sunderland on Wednesday after being sent off in bizarre circumstances in the dying stages against Manchester City
James Findlater Content Editor
13:22, 10 Feb 2026
Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off after a VAR review in Liverpool's defeat to Manchester City
Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off after a VAR review in Liverpool's defeat to Manchester City(Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slot has once again addressed Dominik Szoboszlai’s sending-off against Manchester City, and admitted the referee “did what he had to do” in showing the Liverpool midfielder a red card.
Szoboszlai was dismissed in bizarre circumstances at the end of the Reds’ defeat at Anfield on Sunday. With time running out and Liverpool desperately trying to find an equalizer, Rayan Cherki sent the ball towards goal with Alisson Becker still in the opposition half.
Szoboszlai and Erling Haaland chased after it, with the former pulling the latter back before the City striker responded in kind as the ball trickled over the goal line, leading the visitors to think they had wrapped up a 3-1 win.
READ MORE: Defender who rejected Liverpool now free agent as Arne Slot needs reinforcementsREAD MORE: Rennes releases official statement after Jeremy Jacquet transfer and injury blow
Their celebrations were curtailed though when referee Craig Pawson was instructed to review the incident by VAR, resulting in the goal being disallowed and Szoboszlai being sent off - neither of which looked to be happening before the VAR intervention.
The decision has received backlash from a number of pundits, with Gary Neville having voiced his frustrations while commentating on the game. Even Haaland himself and Pep Guardiola have insisted that Pawson should have stuck to his original decision.
Giving his thoughts on the incident during his press conference on Tuesday, Slot said: "My feelings haven’t changed.
"The moment I saw he got a red card, I was disappointed not to have him against Sunderland.
Referee Craig Pawson sends Dominik Szoboszlai off during Liverpool's defeat to Manchester City
Dominik Szoboszlai will miss Liverpool's game against Sunderland after picking up a one-match ban(Image: Getty Images)
“But on the other hand, I think the referee did what he had to do, and that’s not what we like if we love football. But it’s the rulebook, and referees are there to follow the rulebook."
Liverpool will indeed be without Szoboszlai now for Wednesday’s trip to Sunderland, leaving Slot with another major headache with his team.
The Hungarian had been filling in at right-back, with both Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong out injured, but one of Curtis Jones or Wataru Endo looks as though they will now have to step into the void as the Reds’ options continue to run thin.
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.
Article continues below
Slot is hopeful that Joe Gomez will be able to play some part, with the defender expected to return to training on Tuesday after missing the last three games through injury.
Liverpool.com says: There is a distinct lack of common sense at times in soccer, and Szoboszlai's sending-off is a perfect case of that.
Unfortunately, by the letter of the law, there was no other decision but to send him off once Pawson was sent to the screen by VAR. If there's one silver lining, at least it's just a one-match ban rather than three.