THE climax of Liverpool and Manchester City’s thrilling game was marred in controversy and overall confusion.
Rayan Cherki appeared to have sealed the deal for City deep into stoppage time, passing into an empty goal from the half-way line as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser.
Cherki made it 3-1, but Erling Haaland and Dominik Szoboszlai both chased after the ball with the latter fouling the Norwegian as he looked set to slot it home himself.
Haaland would repay the favour before the ball crossed the line and, of course, VAR then got involved during the celebrations.
The goal was ruled out and Szoboszlai was sent off for his part in the build up.
The Premier League Match Centre has now tweeted how they came to their ruling.
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Referee announcement: “After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, that pulls the shirt of Dominic Szoboszlai.
“Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The final decision is a direct free kick to Manchester City and a red card.”
So Man City were given the advantage, but because they committed a foul in said advantage, the play was brought back to the initial offence and the Hungarian was given a red card – we think.
Szoboszlai was the man who had given Liverpool the lead after dominating much of the second half.
Another trademark free-kick from Liverpool’s number eight saw them leading in the final 10 minutes, but City found another gear to turn it around.
Haaland rose above Ibrahima Konate to nod it down to Bernardo Silva to equalise in the 84th minute.
A moment of madness from Alisson in the Liverpool goal saw the Brazilian rush to clean out Matheus Nunes when the ball was heading away from goal, giving away a penalty in the process.
Haaland stepped up to coolly slot his 21st league goal of the season in the 93rd minute.
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