Match of the season? VAR chaos sees Man City goal disallowed and Szoboszlai sent off at Anfield
(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images/ Michael Regan/Getty Images/Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images))
Anfield saw one of the most memorable games of the season on Sunday, when Manchester City scored a 2-1 victory, ending in a red card, disallowed goal and touchline chaos.
The clash between the title contenders lived up to all the hype, bringing the second half of the endless drama.
It looked like Liverpool had hit the nail on the head in the title race, but a late collapse and a controversial VAR intervention ensured the points went back to Manchester.
Szoboszlai’s free-kick opened the scoring for Liverpool
After a tense first hour, the deadline was spectacularly broken in the 74th minute. Liverpool won a free-kick from 25 yards, and Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to create a moment of magic.
The Hungarian midfielder unleashed a dipping, wobbly effort that left Gianluigi Donnarumma caught, just wide of the post to send the Kop into raptures.
It was a strike that should have won any game, and for ten minutes, it seemed to be the difference maker.
Alisson Blunder led to Erling Haaland’s winner from there
City equalized through Bernardo Silva in the 84th minute, but the real turning point came in stoppage time.
With the game at 1-1, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker suffered a bloody disaster.
Running off his line to cover Matheus Nunes, the Brazilian completely destroyed his slide, clearing the City midfielder in the box.
The referee pointed to the spot, and Erling Haaland stepped up to silence Anfield, burying the penalty into the bottom corner to make it 2-1 in the 93rd minute.
Donnarumma makes a stunning save in stoppage time to deny Mac Allister
Liverpool threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, and almost got it deep into extra time.
The clearance fell to Alexis Mac Allister on the edge of the box, who hit a venomous volley into the top corner.
However, Donnarumma produced a world-class save, flying to his right to clear the ball.
It was the competition that saw City take a slight lead midway through the game.
If only David Raya had made this kind of save from Gianluigi Donnarumma against Liverpool tonight. We would not hear the end of it.
– ????????? ? (@CFC_Muj) February 8, 2026
Controversial VAR drama: Cherki’s goal was disallowed for Szoboszlai to be sent off
Chaos escalated in the 100th minute. As Alisson headed Liverpool’s corner, City broke on the counter.
Rayan Cherki, who entered his place, ran and smashed the ball into an empty net, scoring City’s third goal.
However, VAR intervened in a strange way. Replays showed Szoboszlai pulling Erling Haaland back in the build-up as they chased the ball, who then pulled Szoboszlai to deny him a goal-line clearance.
A chaotic END to the game at Anfield! ? pic.twitter.com/RYtK2yxriM
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2026
Instead of letting the advante and the goal stand, the referee was ordered to disallow Cherki’s strike due to foul play by Haaland and Szoboszlai.
What made it strange is that Szoboszlai’s offense was taken as a red card as he denied a clear opportunity to score goals.
The goal was disallowed, Szoboszlai was sent off, Man City were awarded a free-kick and seconds later the final whistle blew.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED AT ANFIELD?
Cherki shoots from the middle, Szoboszlai pulls Haaland, Haaland retaliates, the goal is scored. City won the game.
The referee is sent to the monitor, the goal is disallowed, Szoboszlai RED, and Man City get a free-kick in the last minute.
Pure chaos in death! pic.twitter.com/rVYHmbHTMS
– Football Paparazzi (@PaparazziFutbal) February 8, 2026
It was a confusing, chaotic end to a breathless encounter, which left Anfield stunned and City bewildered.
