{"id":18520,"date":"2026-02-08T22:06:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T22:06:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/liverpool-man-city-title-race-red-card\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T22:06:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T22:06:17","slug":"liverpool-man-city-title-race-red-card","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/liverpool-man-city-title-race-red-card\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool 1 Man City 2: Where does this leave the title race? Was the late red card right?"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p>Manchester City overturned what looked like defeat at Anfield on Sunday, scoring twice in the final minutes to beat Liverpool 2-1 and keep the gap to leaders Arsenal at six points. Bernardo Silva levelled late in stoppage time before Erling Haaland converted a stoppage-time penalty to win it for City. The match finished in controversy after a VAR review disallowed a bizarre last-gasp goal from Rayan Cherki and sent Dominik Szoboszlai off for a foul in the build-up. The result keeps City firmly in the title conversation as both clubs move into midweek fixtures.<\/p>\n<h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Final score: Manchester City 2, Liverpool 1 \u2014 Silva equalised in stoppage time and Haaland won it from the spot later in added time.<\/li>\n<li>Title picture: City remain six points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table but have a midweek game (Fulham, Feb 11) before Arsenal play Brentford.<\/li>\n<li>Late controversy: A stoppage\u2011time Cherki strike that looked like a goal was overturned after VAR; Dominik Szoboszlai was shown a red card following the same review.<\/li>\n<li>Szoboszlai impact: The Hungarian scored from a long free kick \u2014 his ninth goal of the season and his third free\u2011kick in five games \u2014 before being dismissed late on.<\/li>\n<li>Anfield context: City\u2019s win at Anfield was notable given the club have managed only three league victories there since 1953, highlighting the rarity and psychological value of the result.<\/li>\n<li>Immediate consequences: Szoboszlai will be suspended for Liverpool\u2019s next match (Sunderland, Feb 11); City travel to Fulham the same night (Feb 11, 7:30pm UK).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The Premier League title race has tightened into a three\u2011way conversation this season, but Arsenal led the table going into this round and City entered Anfield needing results to keep pressure on. Manchester City have struggled at times to control the second halves of matches this season, which has contributed to dropped points; overcoming that weakness in hostile venues has been one of Pep Guardiola\u2019s recurring challenges. Liverpool, managed by Slot, approached the game with tactical man\u2011marking instructions in key areas and relied on set\u2011piece threats \u2014 a role Szoboszlai has increasingly filled.<\/p>\n<p>Historically, Anfield has been a difficult place for visiting sides; City\u2019s sparse list of league wins there underscores the significance when they do succeed. The fixture carried extra weight because of prior contentious decisions between the clubs this season and because both sides are still battling for top honours. With busy schedules ahead \u2014 domestic and European \u2014 every late\u2011season swing in confidence or suspension can have outsized effect on the run\u2011in.<\/p>\n<h2>Main event<\/h2>\n<p>Liverpool took the lead in the second half with Szoboszlai\u2019s long free kick, the sort of set\u2011piece that has become a key weapon for him this season. The strike \u2014 from distance and delivered with precision \u2014 was his ninth goal of the campaign and his third free\u2011kick in five matches, continuing a recent rich vein of form. That gave Liverpool the lead and looked to have put City under fresh pressure.<\/p>\n<p>City responded by absorbing Liverpool\u2019s second\u2011half momentum and finding opportunities on the counter; Bernardo Silva levelled in stoppage time to send the Etihad fans and travelling contingent into hope. The decisive moment arrived even later: in the final seconds, with goalkeeper Alisson having gone up for a Liverpool corner, Rayan Cherki rolled the ball toward an unguarded net and it trickled in. Initially the referee allowed the goal.<\/p>\n<p>VAR intervened. After a review that examined a tussle between Szoboszlai and Erling Haaland during the race to the ball, the on\u2011field decision was overturned. Referee Craig Pawson, relaying VAR advice, disallowed the goal and issued a red card to Szoboszlai for a foul in the build\u2011up; City were instead given a direct free kick. Shortly after that, Haaland converted a penalty to complete a remarkable stoppage\u2011time turnaround and secure three points for City.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; implications<\/h2>\n<p>From a title\u2011race standpoint the result matters more for momentum and belief than for the points gap, which remains six in Arsenal\u2019s favour. City showed resilience in a place where wins are rare \u2014 an outcome that could have a psychological effect across the squad as they navigate the run\u2011in. That said, Arsenal still control their destiny in practical terms: they maintain a lead and have fixtures of their own in midweek that will shape the next narrative turn.<\/p>\n<p>The VAR finish underlines persistent tensions around the technology\u2019s influence on dramatic late moments. Officials must balance the letter of the laws \u2014 fouls in the build\u2011up and denial of obvious goal\u2011scoring opportunities can carry red cards \u2014 with the footballing context fans and managers expect preserved. This incident will reignite debate over whether VAR interventions in stoppage time, when emotions and chaos are highest, are producing clarity or confusion.<\/p>\n<p>For Liverpool, Szoboszlai\u2019s red card is a heavy blow beyond the match itself: losing a set\u2011piece specialist and in\u2011form scorer for the next league game matters materially given the tight calendar. For City, the victory may paper over underlying problems with second\u2011half possession and control, but it also demonstrates the squad\u2019s capacity to grind out results under intense pressure. Both clubs now face congested schedules where recovery, rotation and disciplinary consequences will matter.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Team<\/th>\n<th>Immediate next fixture<\/th>\n<th>Kickoff (UK)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Manchester City<\/td>\n<td>vs Fulham (Home)<\/td>\n<td>Feb 11, 19:30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Liverpool<\/td>\n<td>vs Sunderland (Away)<\/td>\n<td>Feb 11, 20:15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Arsenal (leaders)<\/td>\n<td>vs Brentford<\/td>\n<td>Feb 12, TBC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><figcaption>Schedule over the next fixtures for the top contenders (dates\/times as reported).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Context: City remain six points adrift of Arsenal after this round; the table gap and the order of upcoming fixtures give City an immediate chance to apply pressure if Arsenal slip. City\u2019s historical record at Anfield has been poor \u2014 only three league wins there since 1953 \u2014 which magnifies the importance of this victory for morale, even if league mathematics still favour the leaders.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; quotes<\/h2>\n<p>Managers and pundits reacted with a mix of frustration and acceptance, reflecting the contentious ending.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cDo you mean the disallowed goal at City? \u2026 I can live with the fact, despite not liking it, that the referee follows the rulebook with Dominik.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Slot, Liverpool manager (post\u2011match comments)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Slot acknowledged the red card for Szoboszlai while expressing frustration at other past decisions he felt had gone against his team. He framed his remarks around consistency in officiating rather than overt anger at VAR itself.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWhat a strike. In the end, belief from our captain; his character, personality, not giving up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager (Sky Sports)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Guardiola praised his players\u2019 perseverance and singled out Silva\u2019s and Haaland\u2019s roles in turning the game around, while also voicing irritation about late VAR intervention on other broadcast platforms: \u201cCome on referee, give goal and go home!\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cAfter review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland\u2026 Prior to that, Szoboszlai\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Premier League Match Centre (official VAR summary)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The league\u2019s official match centre provided a short statement summarising the on\u2011field reversal and the disciplinary outcome, which has been central to subsequent discussion.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>VAR and red\u2011card basics<\/summary>\n<p>Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviews incidents for clear and obvious errors in four categories: goals and their build\u2011up, penalty decisions, direct red cards, and mistaken identity. A player can be sent off for denying an obvious goal\u2011scoring opportunity by a foul (including a deliberate shirt\u2011pull) or for violent conduct; the referee may downgrade to a yellow if the offense is an attempt to play the ball under recognised criteria. VAR\u2019s remit is to correct only significant mistakes, but its intervention often hinges on tight, subjective interpretations of contact and intent.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The precise sequence of shirt pulls and which player committed the initial foul remains debated in public accounts and is not fully reconstructed in the official summary.<\/li>\n<li>Whether any additional disciplinary action (beyond the in\u2011game red card) will be taken by the FA has not been announced at the time of reporting.<\/li>\n<li>Full VAR audio\/angle disclosures that could definitively explain the reversal decision have not been released publicly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom line<\/h2>\n<p>City\u2019s stoppage\u2011time comeback at Anfield keeps the title race alive and hands Guardiola\u2019s side a potent psychological boost, but Arsenal\u2019s six\u2011point cushion still places them in the stronger position. The late VAR intervention and Szoboszlai\u2019s dismissal will prolong debate about refereeing standards and how rules are applied in the game\u2019s most dramatic moments. Practically, Liverpool must cope without a key set\u2011piece taker for their next match, while City can bank three points and try to convert the momentum into consistent results through the busy February schedule.<\/p>\n<p>As the calendar compresses, small margins\u2014suspensions, single refereeing calls, recovery from late drama\u2014are likely to shape the outcome more than isolated performances. Fans and pundits will watch both the standings and the FA\u2019s handling of the incident closely in the coming days.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7026767\/2026\/02\/08\/liverpool-man-city-premier-league-szoboszlai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The New York Times \/ The Athletic (media)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PLMatchCentre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Premier League Match Centre (official match summary, Twitter)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sky Sports (broadcast quotes and post\u2011match comments)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manchester City overturned what looked like defeat at Anfield on Sunday, scoring twice in the final minutes to beat Liverpool 2-1 and keep the gap to leaders Arsenal at six points. Bernardo Silva levelled late in stoppage time before Erling Haaland converted a stoppage-time penalty to win it for City. The match finished in controversy &#8230; <a title=\"Liverpool 1 Man City 2: Where does this leave the title race? Was the late red card right?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/liverpool-man-city-title-race-red-card\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Liverpool 1 Man City 2: Where does this leave the title race? Was the late red card right?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18518,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Liverpool 1-2 Man City: Title race shaken | The Review","rank_math_description":"Manchester City scored twice in stoppage time to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield; a VAR review disallowed a late goal and saw Dominik Szoboszlai sent off. What it means for the title race and next steps.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Liverpool, Manchester City, Szoboszlai, Haaland, VAR, Premier League","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18520","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18520","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18520"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18520\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}