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PGMOL expert blasts ‘excuses’ as Wolves star should have been sent off vs Arsenal
Rob Edwards’ side were extremely fortunate not to have a player sent off during their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Hwang Hee-Chan should have seen red after a challenge on Myles Lewis-Skelly on 13 December.
Mark Clattenburg’s made his pick for his Premier League GOAT
Wolves are the favourites to be relegated from the Premier League this season, and the Old Gold were delivered another crushing blow when Yerson Mosquera conceded an own goal in the fourth minute of added time.
Edwards’ side managed to shut out Viktor Gyokeres, but with two own goals, the travelling side were ultimately left disappointed in North London, and it could have been even worse.
🚨 Hwang Hee-Chan was only booked for this challenge on Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly and VAR didn”t think it was worthy of upgrading to red – did the officials call this one right? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/vYZNSW4aYm
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) December 13, 2025
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Hwang Hee-Chan avoids sending-off vs Arsenal
In the 60th minute, Hwang went into a challenge on Lewis-Skelly studs-up, with VAR checking the incident for a red card, but referee Rob Jones was not sent to the pitch-side monitor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “When you look at this challenge, there is no doubt that this player has fulfilled the excessive force requirement [for a red card].He enters the challenge at pace with a straight leg, studs showing, and whilst low, is still endangering the safety of an opponent. The player was off the ground and, therefore, could not stop or change direction.
Credit: Getty Images
“I have no doubt that the excuse will be that ‘we stuck with yellow because the challenge was low down’, but for me, there’s an element of malice in the challenge. It should have been red.”
Wolves edge closer to Premier League relegation
Burnley, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, and Leeds United are all fighting for survival, alongside the Old Gold, and any chance of securing safety appears to have gone up in smoke.
There was some hope when Tolo Arokodare netted his first Premier League goal in the 90th minute, but that was completely crushed four minutes later when Mosquera headed into his own net.
Edwards will take some positives from the game, going toe-to-toe with the league leaders for the entire game, but they remain bottom of the table with just two points from 16 games.
They are quickly running out of time to get points on the board.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Szoboszlai, 74)
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
An absolutely sensational free-kick goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. This one might be even better than the one against Arsenal.
From a central position, around 25 yards out, it’s an absolutely sensational hit which swerves out of reach of Donnarumma, who doesn’t even dive, and slams into the net off the post.
Amazing. And what could that mean for the title race? Arsenal staying nine points clear as it stands.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Szoboszlai, 74)
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
An absolutely sensational free-kick goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. This one might be even better than the one against Arsenal.
From a central position, around 25 yards out, it’s an absolutely sensational hit which swerves out of reach of Donnarumma, who doesn’t even dive, and slams into the net off the post.
Amazing. And what could that mean for the title race? Arsenal staying nine points clear as it stLiverpool vs Man City LIVE! Premier League match updates, news, score, stream and highlights – live on Sky Sports
Sunday 8 February 2026 18:05, UK
Second Half: Liverpool 1-0 Man City – live on Sky
Szoboszlai scores OUTRAGEOUS free-kick! View post
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Ekitike missed huge chance as Liverpool came to life View post | Teams
Live Premier Leagueands.
Liverpool vs Man City LIVE! Premier League match updates, news, score, stream and highlights – live on Sky Sports
Sunday 8 February 2026 16:30, UK
First Half: Liverpool 0-0 Man City – live on Sky
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Updates, tables and teams
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Liverpool FC team news vs. Man City: 6 defenders unavailable for Arne Slot
Liverpool have six defenders unavailable for their game against Man City, with Arne Slot‘s hand forced at centre-back and right-back.
Liverpool are down to their bare bones at the back, with six defenders unable to start as the Reds try to keep pace with their top-four competitors in the Premier League.
Liverpool Injury & Absentee List
PlayerInjury TypeStatusExpected ReturnJoe GomezKneeDoubtMan City (H)Jeremie FrimpongGroinUnavailableEarly MarchConor BradleyKnee (Surgery)UnavailablePre-season 2026Giovanni LeoniACL (Surgery)UnavailableNext seasonAlexander IsakFibula FractureUnavailableLate MarchStefan BajceticHamstringRehabLate FebruaryJayden DannsHamstringRehabFebruaryWellity LuckyHamstringUnavailableApril
Joe Gomez‘s fitness is the main talking point ahead of the match at Anfield, given his presence would provide cover at centre-back and full-back.
He didn’t train on Thursday, though, and Slot explained: “We have a little bit of hope that he might train on Saturday.
“So not available to start, but maybe available to help the team if needed during the game because, as you know, there are not that many defenders available at the moment.”
With Giovanni Leoni out until next season, academy defenders Amara Nallo and Wellity Lucky have made the bench in the Premier League a combined five times this season.
The latter is injured, however, so unable to come in against Man City.
Nallo got injured during Tuesday’s UEFA Youth League exit to MSK Zilina, but was named to start for the U21s on Saturday, meaning he will not be available at Anfield.
As for Lucky’s injury, the 20-year-old is set to be sidelined until April due to a hamstring injury sustained in training midway through January.
Also on Liverpool’s list of absentees is right-back Conor Bradley, who will miss the rest of the campaign.
Like Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong is currently injured but his outlook is more positive than his teammate’s.
Slot gave a brief update on the flying Dutchman’s fitness, saying he “will definitely not train this week” due to his ongoing groin problem.
With Nallo featuring at academy level, Liverpool will be without six defensive options against Man City.
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Liverpool Predicted XI vs. Man City: Szoboszlai right-back, no start for Jones
Liverpool’s available squad vs. Man City
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Robertson, Ramsay
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Endo, Nyoni
Forwards: Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike, Ngumoha, Chiesa
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