How Many Matches Szoboszlai Faces a Ban For After Chaotic End to Liverpool Loss
Dominik Szoboszlai is now set to serve a suspension after being shown a late red card during the chaotic closing stages of Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.
The Hungarian had earlier given the Reds the lead with a magnificent free-kick, but was forced into emergency defending deep into stoppage time as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, leaving Alisson Becker stranded upfield.
Rayan Cherki’s long-range attempt eventually crossed the line, but Szoboszlai had sprinted back in a desperate attempt to stop the goal. In the process, he grabbed hold of Erling Haaland’s shirt, prompting the City striker to respond in kind and leaving the officials with a controversial call to make.
VAR Decision Ends in Red Card
Following a review at the pitchside monitor, referee Craig Pawson ruled out Cherki’s goal and dismissed Szoboszlai for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. The decision was based on the Liverpool midfielder initiating the shirt pull on Haaland before the contact was returned.
Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville was incensed by the VAR intervention, branding it a moment-killer. “They’ve completely ruined one of the moments of the season,” he said. “It would have made more sense to penalise both players and allow the goal to stand — even if that isn’t strictly within the laws. Common sense never seems to win.”
While pundits like Dermot Gallagher are expected to later defend the call as technically correct, the outcome did little to help either side on the day — particularly Liverpool, who were left frustrated by another decisive VAR moment.
Already filling in at right-back due to injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, Szoboszlai’s dismissal only compounds Arne Slot’s growing selection issues.
How Many Matches Will Szoboszlai Miss?
The small silver lining for Liverpool is that, despite the straight red card, the offence was not deemed violent conduct. As a result, Szoboszlai will receive a one-match Premier League suspension, the standard punishment for a DOGSO offence.
Even so, his absence creates another problem for Slot ahead of Wednesday night’s trip to Sunderland, where the midfielder will be unavailable. Curtis Jones is the leading candidate to slot in at right-back at the Stadium of Light.
It’s another setback Liverpool could have done without during an already challenging campaign, and one that many will feel was avoidable if not for what they see as excessive VAR involvement. With the decision final, Szoboszlai will now be forced to watch from the sidelines as the Reds attempt to move on in midweek.
