VAR Goal Decision and Red Card Cause Big Talk in Liverpool vs. Man City Game

A late goal for Manchester City was cancelled, and Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool got a red card after VAR looked at a foul. This has made many people discuss how VAR affects football games.
By Newsroom | Football, England |

Late-Game Controversy Overshadows Premier League Encounter

A dramatic finish to the Liverpool versus Manchester City match was significantly altered by VAR intervention, leading to the disallowance of a Manchester City goal and the red carding of Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai. This sequence of events, occurring in the dying moments of the game, has ignited widespread debate about the impact of video technology on the sport's entertainment value and the interpretation of crucial fouls. The incident, which saw Rayan Cherki's long-range strike from the halfway line ruled out in favor of a free-kick and a red card for Szoboszlai, has been described by some as a "golden moment" stolen from the game.

Timeline of Incidents

The controversy unfolded in the 100th minute of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City on February 8, 2026. Manchester City scored a late goal, with Rayan Cherki finding the net from a considerable distance. However, a VAR review was initiated concerning an earlier incident involving Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai and Manchester City's Erling Haaland.

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Neville: VAR intervention and Szoboszlai red card ruined a 'golden moment' - 1

  • Initial Play: A foul was committed by Szoboszlai on Haaland. Referee Craig Pawson initially allowed play to continue, observing that Haaland could still reach the ball.

  • Cherki's Goal: Following the initial foul, Manchester City managed to clear the ball, leading to a counter-attack. Rayan Cherki scored from the halfway line.

  • VAR Review: The VAR team intervened to review the preceding foul by Szoboszlai on Haaland.

  • Decision: The VAR advised the on-field referee to disallow Cherki's goal. The foul on Haaland was deemed to have denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Consequently, Szoboszlai was shown a straight red card. The game was reset to the point of the foul, resulting in a free-kick for Manchester City.

Conflicting Perspectives on the Decisions

The decisions have generated disparate interpretations among football analysts, former players, and managers, highlighting a division in how the rules are perceived and applied.

The "Golden Moment" Argument

Gary Neville, a prominent football pundit, strongly criticized the VAR intervention, asserting that it ruined a potentially memorable moment in the Premier League.

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Neville: VAR intervention and Szoboszlai red card ruined a 'golden moment' - 2

"It just felt like a golden moment that is taken away from the game. He's off and doesn't play in their next game." - Gary Neville

Neville's view suggests that the spectacle and emotional impact of football can be diminished by an overly strict application of rules, particularly when a unique goal is scored. The disallowing of Cherki's goal and the subsequent red card for Szoboszlai, who had only just been substituted on, have been cited as examples of VAR detracting from the natural flow and excitement of a match.

The "Application of Rules" Interpretation

Conversely, some analyses emphasize the strict interpretation of the Laws of the Game. The foul by Szoboszlai on Haaland was categorized as denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO), a serious offense that warrants a red card.

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Neville: VAR intervention and Szoboszlai red card ruined a 'golden moment' - 3

  • Article 3, from The Athletic, notes: "Why did VAR decide on a Szoboszlai red card and no third goal for City? Well, you have to say ‘game on’!" This suggests that, by the letter of the law, the decision might be justifiable.

  • Article 5, from The Sun, explains the referee's initial decision to let the foul go, stating: "People will be saying ‘why didn’t he just give the goal?’ but Haaland’s pull-back stopped the Liverpool player from clearing the ball." This implies a potential misjudgment by the on-field referee, which VAR then corrected based on a strict reading of the foul's impact.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his bewilderment at the strict application of the rules.

"Absolutely pointless and a poor end to a great second half of football. Moments like this are when VAR rightly gets criticised." - Pep Guardiola (as reported)

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This sentiment from Guardiola indicates a feeling that common sense was sacrificed for a rigid adherence to technicalities.

Neville: VAR intervention and Szoboszlai red card ruined a 'golden moment' - 4

Expert Analysis and Reactions

The incident has been met with considerable backlash, with many commentators arguing that VAR is contributing to a less enjoyable viewing experience.

  • BBC Sport labels the intervention as "Killjoy," questioning whether VAR correctly handled the late drama.

  • The Independent frames the situation as a "VAR controversy explained."

  • Caughtoffside reports that the decision was "widely criticised, with critics claiming that VAR is killing the fun in the game."

A peculiar aspect of the fallout, noted by Liverpool.com, is the Premier League's own communication error:

"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… but awkwardly misspelled Szoboszlai's name."

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This misspelling has been seen as adding to the general confusion and perceived amateurism surrounding the incident.

Consequences and Broader Implications

The disallowing of the goal and the red card for Szoboszlai have had ramifications beyond the immediate match outcome.

  • Title Race: The result leaves Manchester City six points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

  • Player Suspension: Dominik Szoboszlai is now suspended for Liverpool's upcoming matches, a direct consequence of the red card. The nature of the ban has also been noted as potentially different from traditional red card suspensions, with Liverpool.com mentioning a "violent conduct ban" potentially superseding a standard three-match ban.

  • Debate on VAR: The incident fuels ongoing discussions about the role and efficacy of VAR in football. Critics argue that such interventions remove spontaneity and enjoyment, while proponents maintain that they ensure fairness and accuracy in officiating. The case has become a focal point for those who believe VAR is diminishing the intrinsic appeal of the sport.

Sources Used

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened in the Liverpool vs. Man City game?
A late goal for Man City was cancelled by VAR, and Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai got a red card.
Q: Why was the goal cancelled?
VAR looked at an earlier foul by Szoboszlai on Erling Haaland and decided it stopped a clear chance to score.
Q: Why did Szoboszlai get a red card?
The referee gave him a red card for the foul on Haaland, which VAR confirmed.
Q: What do people think about the VAR decision?
Some people think it ruined a great moment in the game, while others say the rules were followed correctly.