Dominik Szoboszlai red card: Did ref and VAR in Liverpool v Man City get Haaland drama right?

Liverpool took on Manchester City in a dramatic encounter at Anfield, with the visitors ultimately emerging victorious 2-1. In one of the most contentious moments of the game, Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off after pulling Erling Haaland back as he chased down a loose ball and was clear to score.

The Red Card That Will Leave You Baffled

The incident occurred with just seconds left on the clock, and Liverpool were trailing 1-0. Haaland had beaten Szoboszlai down the flank before being pulled back by the Hungarian defender. Referee Craig Pawson awarded a free kick for the foul.

Szoboszlai's actions prevented Haaland from scoring what would have been a crucial goal in the game, and VAR reviewed the incident to determine if it was correct.

Was the decision right? Football fans will be divided on this one. Gary Neville, a former Manchester United player, expressed his dismay at Sky Sports, saying that the red card was "just killjoy" and that the referee had "killed one of the great moments of the season."

On the other hand, Haaland himself felt sorry for Szoboszlai, stating that he should not have been given a red card. Pep Guardiola called out referee Craig Pawson, saying "Come on referee, give the goal and go home."

[Image of a confused person with their head in hands]

[GIF of a football player pulling his shirt over their face]

[Image of Erling Haaland shrugging with a smile]

[Image of Gary Neville looking disappointed with a frown]

[Image of Pep Guardiola giving a sarcastic thumbs down]

[Image of Dominik Szoboszlai shrugging with a confused expression]

I mean come on! That red card is gonna keep going down in history as one of the craziest moments in the Premier League . Dominik Szoboszlai's instincts were spot on to pull Haaland back, but at the same time, you've gotta respect his enthusiasm and not see that as a mindless foul play. Gary Neville's rant about it being a "killjoy" is pretty harsh tho . I feel for Szoboszlai though, he was just trying to make a big block save and maybe got caught in the heat of the moment . The VAR review might've been spot on but you can't blame Szoboszlai for having that thought process .

I'm shocked by that ref decision ! Dominik Szoboszlai was just trying to prevent Haaland from scoring, it's not like he meant to hurt him . The VAR review should've shown that Szoboszlai didn't intentionally commit the foul #JusticeForSzoboszlai. Gary Neville is being harsh, I think the ref made a mistake #NotAKilljoy. That goal would've been incredible and would've turned the game around for Liverpool ! Pep's rant was on point though

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one Dominik Szoboszlai's reaction is like something straight out of a cartoon - one minute he's being a hero for pulling Haaland back, next minute he's walking off with a red card . I get why the refs were hesitant, but come on, it was just seconds left and that was a massive momentum shift... it feels like the game is rigged at this point . And Gary Neville saying it's "killjoy" just shows how much he loves drama - doesn't mean he wasn't surprised either . Anyway, I think VAR got it right this time, but you can tell both sides are still salty about it

OMG u guys this ref decision was CRAZY!!! 2-1 is still the score but Dominik Szoboszlai's red card is LIVIDLY dividing football fans! Gary Neville & Pep Guardiola are already throwing shade at the ref, with Neville saying its a "killjoy" move and Guardiola wanting to go home early lol I think VAR did right in reviewing it but its so hard to see what really went down. Szoboszlai was trying to save a goal not ruin one... maybe we'll see the full replay & get more clarity on this.

I'm literally shocked that Szoboszlai got sent off - like, what was the ref thinking?! It's clear as day that Haaland was way past him for a free kick. But at the same time... I mean, Szoboszlai was really reckless and it was a pretty crucial moment in the game... but if he wasn't given a red card, then maybe Haaland gets the goal and Liverpool wins... ? Gary Neville is right though, it did feel like a killjoy moment - but it's all part of the game, you know?!

I'm still trying to wrap my head around that crazy call! I mean, Dominik Szoboszlai just gave away possession, but it's not like he was trying to hurt anyone. Erling Haaland was clear as day, so why did he get sent off? It's just not fair. Gary Neville is right, though - it was a major killjoy moment in the game. And I feel bad for Szoboszlai, he didn't deserve that red card ...

I'm still tryin to wrap my head around that ref decision . I mean, Dominik Szoboszlai is clearly a great defender, but he's not tryna score goals himself . The guy was just trying 2 clear the ball, not win the game . And to be sent off for it? Massive! It's like the ref just didn't care about the game no more . Gary Neville's right tho, that would've been a sick goal for Haaland... and Pep's call on the ref was spot on . VAR's supposed 2 help with these decisions not mess 'em up .

omg what was going thru refs mind lol i mean dominik szoboszlai was in no mans land when erling haaland chased him down but at the same time he didnt intentionally try to hurt him or anything. i get that refs have to make tough calls but this one has me wondering if maybe szoboszlai got a bit of a slap on the wrist for doing what any other player would do in that situation . it felt like an easy out for the ref just to avoid controversy, you feel?

I mean I've seen some questionable calls in my time watching footy with my kids but this one takes the cake ️! Dominik Szoboszlai's tackle was definitely not a deliberate attempt to hurt Haaland, he just reacted too quickly and it backfired. The fact that it happened right before the end of the game made it even more frustrating for Liverpool fans.

I think referee Pawson did what he thought was right at the time, but VAR should've been able to review it better in those last seconds . It's not like Szoboszlai was trying to break Haaland's legs or anything! On the other hand, if I'm being honest with myself, I can see why Gary Neville and Pep Guardiola were upset... that goal would've been a game-changer!

Anyway, it's just one of those moments where you're like "what could've been?"

I don't get why VAR is always needed but they never make it right lol . Dominik Szoboszlai was already getting yelled at for pulling Haaland back when he even had time to score... what more does the ref need? The free kick just felt like a way to give City an undeserved break, you know? And I gotta say, Gary Neville is being super harsh on the ref - one red card isn't gonna ruin the whole season for Liverpool.

Szoboszlai's 99th-minute heroics ruined . Ref needed to keep cool . Would've loved to see Haaland's reaction if he got that goal .

omg i'm still trying to process what happened on the pitch yesterday dominik szoboszlai's tackle on erling haaland was so reckless it's a miracle he didn't break his leg. but at the same time, who expects that from erling haha? he's been having an incredible season and that goal would've sealed the win for man city.

i feel bad for szoboszlai, though - he's already getting roasted online and i'm sure that tackle will be replayed over and over again. but in all fairness, referee pawson did make a tough call and we can't just forgive and forget. maybe we should've seen it coming from the sidelines?

I mean what's up with these refs lately ? One minute they're giving away free kicks for tiny pushes, next minute they're sending off players for accidental fouls that are basically just trying to prevent a goal . I'm not saying Dominik Szoboszlai was in the wrong here, but come on, Gary Neville, it's just a game! Don't be such a killjoy, mate. And can we please get some consistency with these VAR calls? It's like they're trying to make our heads spin . I'm still gonna have to watch this one again to see if the ref was right or not... probably won't change my mind .

omg can u believe that ref pawson made that call? i mean szoboszlai literally pulled back haaland when he was CLEARLY gonna score that's like a 100% foul right there... but at the same time, i dont blame haaland for saying he felt bad for szoboszlai and i think pep is right, ref should have given them both a goal instead of just giving out the red card it was such a dramatic moment in the game... what do u guys think?

awww man i feel so bad 4 dominik szoboszlai he didnt mean 2 pull erling haaland back but it wasnt fair he got sent off like that... ref craig pawson made a tough call but maybe u can blame the defenders for not being there 2 help him out at least szoboszlai had a good game before dat & i'm sure he's still gonna be remembered as a hero by liverpool fans

Ugh, seriously?! The ref's decision was so harsh! Dominik Szoboszlai clearly didn't mean to pull Haaland back that hard, and it looks like the ref just wanted to end the game ASAP. 2-1 to City? So disappointing for Liverpool fans! I mean, I get that it's a big league match, but come on, can't the refs give players a break sometimes? And what's with VAR not intervening here? Gary Neville made a valid point about it being a killjoy moment...

come on, who pulls back Haaland in his own half of the field with no one else around? Szoboszlai's gotta get a hard pass for that one. But at the same time, I feel him - he saw a potential game-tying goal and took down a guy who was already in a bad spot . Maybe the ref just didn't have to make it that hard on him? Still stung for Liverpool fans...

omg what a crazy game lol i mean dominik szoboszlai was so close to getting sent off but thankfully liverpool held on i dont think ref craig pawson did wrong tho maybe he just didnt see it that way...Gary neville thinks the red card was harsh but i can see why pep guardiola got so mad about it, that wouldve been a game changer for man city! erling haaland's reaction though was pretty sweet, felt bad for szoboszlai anyway, what did you guys think of that ref decision?