Liverpool Champions League Intrigue Grows After Red Card and Late Drama

In a chaotic 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield, Liverpool's Champions League hopes took a hit amid controversial late drama, including Dominik Szoboszlai's red card, fueling intrigue around their top-four push.[1][2]

The match swung wildly: Szoboszlai opened scoring with a stunning free-kick, but Bernardo Silva equalized before Erling Haaland converted a VAR-upheld penalty after Alisson's clash with Matheus Nunes. In the 10th minute of stoppage time, with Alisson upfield chasing an equalizer, City sub Rayan Cherki unleashed a halfway-line lob toward an empty net. Szoboszlai tussled with Haaland on the line, initially allowing the ball in, but referee Craig Pawson—after VAR review—disallowed the goal, citing Szoboszlai's holding offense as denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO). Pawson explained: a careless foul by Haaland preceded Szoboszlai's shirt-pull on the Norwegian, warranting a free-kick and straight red.[2][3]

Arne Slot's fury targeted earlier officiating, slamming referee Pawson for not red-carding Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi (on loan? context suggests recent form) for hauling down Mohamed Salah one-on-one, deeming it a clear goal for Liverpool in past Anfield standards. Slot downplayed Szoboszlai's send-off: "If that's the rule, we accept it... but we'd have preferred the goal."[1][4] He praised Liverpool's second-half intensity against City's possession dominance.[4]

The loss drops Liverpool to sixth place, five points off Champions League spots (four behind Chelsea per some reports), denting their surge under Slot. City close to six points of leaders Arsenal. Szoboszlai misses three games, including Sunderland.[1][2][3]

Intrigue mounts: Liverpool appeal the red? Slot's VAR barbs escalate referee scrutiny, as Anfield's European dreams hinge on consistency amid title-race chaos.[1][5]

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