Controversial VAR Decision Mars Manchester City's Dramatic 2-1 Victory Over Liverpool
In a Premier League encounter filled with late drama, Manchester City secured a crucial 2-1 comeback victory against Liverpool at Anfield Stadium on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The match, however, will be remembered for a controversial VAR decision in stoppage time that saw Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai receive a red card and Manchester City's potential third goal disallowed.
Match Summary: City's Comeback Seals Vital Three Points
The match began with Manchester City showing immediate intent, as Erling Haaland came close to scoring within the opening minute following a precise assist from Bernardo Silva. The Norwegian striker had another opportunity later in the first half, but Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker made a crucial save, with defender Milos Kerkez clearing the rebound to keep the scoreline level at halftime.
Liverpool's patience paid off when Hungarian international Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock with a spectacular free-kick that left Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma completely stranded. The Reds seemed poised to secure all three points until the final six minutes of regulation time changed everything.
Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva equalized for Manchester City with just six minutes remaining, setting the stage for a dramatic finale. In the 90+3 minute, Erling Haaland converted a penalty kick after Alisson Becker brought down Matheus Nunes inside the area, marking Haaland's first-ever goal at Anfield and putting Manchester City ahead 2-1.
The Controversial Stoppage Time Incident
The real drama unfolded in the 90+13 minute when Manchester City appeared to have sealed their victory with a third goal. French international Rayan Cherki launched the ball from the center of the field and found the back of the net, but the goal was immediately subject to VAR review.
After extensive examination, VAR officials determined that two separate fouls had occurred during the buildup to the goal. Initially, Dominik Szoboszlai committed a holding offense against Erling Haaland, which referee Craig Pawson initially played as an advantage. However, in the subsequent action, Haaland pulled Szoboszlai's shirt, committing what was deemed a careless foul.
The Premier League issued an official statement explaining the decision: "After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Manchester City. Referee announcement: 'After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland that pulls the shirt of Dominik 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.'"
Reactions and Consequences
The controversial decision sparked immediate reactions from football fans and analysts across social media platforms. Many questioned the logic of returning to the initial foul after playing advantage, while others debated whether the correct outcome had been reached.
As a result of the red card, Dominik Szoboszlai will serve a one-match suspension for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. This comes at a challenging time for Liverpool, who currently sit in sixth position in the Premier League table. The Reds' next fixture is against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday.
The victory keeps Manchester City firmly in the title race, now just six points behind league leaders Arsenal. This hard-fought win at Anfield represents a significant psychological boost for Pep Guardiola's side as they continue their pursuit of another Premier League championship.
Broader Context and Predictions
Interestingly, the match outcome had been predicted by popular TikTok user Morci22a, who forecasted a 3-2 victory for Manchester City at Anfield. While the actual scoreline differed, the prediction correctly anticipated Manchester City's away victory in a match that could significantly influence the Premier League title race.
This encounter highlights the increasing impact of VAR technology on modern football, with controversial decisions continuing to shape match outcomes and spark debates among players, managers, and fans alike. As the Premier League season progresses, such moments will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining the eventual champions.
