Erling Haaland has delivered a scathing assessment of Dominik Szoboszlai’s red card, as the Premier League moved to clarify the reasoning behind the controversial decision.

Manchester City saw a dramatic late goal chalked off by VAR during their 2-1 victory over Liverpool, sparking controversy and a blunt reaction from Erling Haaland.

City came from behind to win at Anfield after Dominik Szoboszlai’s brilliant free-kick had earlier put Liverpool ahead. As the game entered the final moments of stoppage time, Alisson had pushed forward in a desperate attempt to help the Reds find an equaliser.

City regained possession and Rayan Cherki attempted an audacious effort from close to the halfway line. What followed was effectively a sprint between Szoboszlai and Haaland, with the Liverpool midfielder grabbing at the striker in a bid to prevent a goal.

The ball eventually rolled into the net, triggering wild celebrations from City’s players as they swarmed Cherki and Haaland. However, referee Craig Pawson was called over to the pitchside monitor for a VAR review.

Replays showed that Haaland had also committed a foul by pulling Szoboszlai after the initial infringement by the Liverpool midfielder. Pawson subsequently overturned the goal, ruling it out in line with the Laws of the Game, as City’s advantage was cancelled due to Haaland’s foul.

Instead, Szoboszlai was shown a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

Speaking after the match to Sky Sports, Haaland appeared frustrated but accepting of the decision. He admitted he felt sorry for Szoboszlai, pointing out that the red card would result in a three-match suspension, and suggested it would have been simpler to award the goal rather than send a player off. However, he acknowledged that the referee was simply applying the rules.

The Premier League’s Match Centre later backed Pawson’s decision in an official statement on social media. It confirmed that the original goal was overturned following VAR review due to Haaland’s foul, while also noting that Szoboszlai’s earlier holding offence denied a clear goalscoring chance, leading to a red card and a direct free-kick for Manchester City.