Liverpool manager Arne Slot with Manchester City’s Marc Guehi after the match

Former FIFA referee and PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has given his verdict on the decision not to send Marc Guehi off for denying Mohamed Salah a goalscoring opportunity in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester City.

Although neither side could break the deadlock in the first half, the hosts believed they should have been given an advantage when the England international pulled Salah back outside the box as he raced through on goal. VAR reviewed the on-field decision, agreeing that a booking was the only punishment required.

It seemed as though that decision would not matter in the end when Dominik Szoboszlai struck a sweet free-kick past Gianluigi Donnarumma for a late opener. But Bernardo Silva’s equaliser and Erling Haaland’s penalty ultimately led to a famous comeback victory for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot before facing Barnsley in the FA Cup.

Related

‘The Word From Liverpool Is’ – Arne Slot Sack Update Emerges After Man City Defeat

1

By

Matt Smith

Slot Calls Out Referee’s Decision Not to Send Guehi Off

Liverpool manager Arne Slot

In the end, the biggest drama of the match came at the end of the game as City had a third goal ruled out for fouls made by Haaland and Szoboszlai, which led to the latter being sent off. But that didn’t stop Slot from voicing his frustration with the earlier decision concerning Guehi and Salah after the final whistle.

The Dutch manager, when asked if his side had been wronged during the game, said: “We can talk about every incident and everybody has an opinion about this. That’s the difficulty in football, there are never 100 to nil decisions.

“If I had to talk about one moment, I would like to talk about the time Mo [Salah] was through on goal and Guehi held his shirt.

“Everyone who has been in this stadium for the past eight years knows that if Mo Salah comes in that situation, it’s a goal. So that is definitely a goalscoring opportunity.

“Maybe that is an 80/20 split, we can find 20 people from the PGMOL who don’t think it’s a red card. But I think in general everyone who looks at it will tell you that should have been a red card.”

Check Out Slot’s Comments Below:

Hackett Gives View on Decision to Show Guehi a Yellow Card

Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah react after referee Craig Pawson awards a penalty to Manchester City

The Premier League’s Match Centre had explained the referee’s decision on social media, indicating that a covering defender meant that it was not a DOGSO offence. They stated: “The referee’s call of a free-kick and yellow card to Guehi for the challenge on Salah was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge outside of the area and deemed not to be denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) as there was a covering defender.

And while Slot might feel as though Guehi deserved to receive his marching orders for the offence, Hackett ultimately reached the same conclusion that the officials did. Speaking to Football Insider, the former PGMOL chief believes that a defender’s presence in the area meant that it wasn’t an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

“Yellow card the correct decision. Does not fulfil denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity due to the position of the covering defender.”

Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports as a pundit, also believes the correct decision was reached. He said: “I think it was the right decision.

GMS Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters

Exclusive content from Ben Jacobs and other top journalists straight to your inbox!

Email Address

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“It’s one of them which frustrates you when it’s against you. I totally understand Slot. I think Pep Guardiola would say the same if it was on the other side.

“I think there’s enough doubt to not give the red card. For me, the decision was right.”

Why was Dominik Szoboszlai sent off? VAR controversy explained as Man City goal ruled out in win over Liverpool

Manchester City’s crucial 2-1 victory over Liverpool ended in bizarre scenes at Anfield as Dominik Szoboszlai was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity – despite City scoring a goal from that opportunity.

Szoboszlai had earlier scored a stunning free-kick to give Liverpool the lead, before Bernardo Silva poached an equaliser and Erling Haaland converted a late penalty to give City the advantage in added time.

Rayan Cherki thought he had scored a bizarre late, late third to cap a wild game, shooting from the halfway line with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker well out of his area – only for the goal to be ruled out after a VAR review, which led to Szoboszlai being sent off instead.

The Hungarian international had tussled with Haaland as Cherki’s shot rolled into the empty net, and although referee Craig Pawson was initially happy for the goal to stand, he later changed his decision to a free-kick and red card after consulting his pitch-side monitor.

Premier League officials later explained that they had no choice but to rule out the goal, because Haaland’s foul on Szoboszlai effectively cancelled out the advantage played after Szoboszlai’s initial foul and meant the game had to be stopped before the ball crossed the line.

Pawson explained to the Anfield crowd: “After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland on the shirt of Dominik Szoboszlai. Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity. The final decision is a direct free-kick to Manchester City and a red card.”

Here’s an article covering the VAR errors and controversy from Liverpool vs Manchester City today (8 February 2026) — including reactions, key incidents, and the wider impact on the Premier League title race.

GB News

VAR just ruined ‘moment of the season’ as Liverpool and Man City BOTH left furious by controversial decision

Liverpool v Manchester City ends in drama and VAR controversy

Why was Dominik Szoboszlai sent off? VAR controversy explained as Man City goal ruled out in win over Liverpool

Manchester City snatches dramatic win — but VAR steals the headlines

In a hugely dramatic Premier League clash at Anfield today, Manchester City came from behind to beat Liverpool 2–1, keeping their title hopes alive in the 2025-26 season. Dominik Szoboszlai put Liverpool ahead with a stunning free-kick, but Bernardo Silva equalised late and Erling Haaland scored the decisive stoppage-time penalty. �

Reuters

However, the match will be remembered less for the goals and more for the VAR decisions that dominated the final minutes.

Controversial VAR interventions

⚽ 1. Disallowed goal in the 100th minute

Perhaps the most contentious moment came in injury time when Rayan Cherki appeared to score what would have been a sensational winner from deep (with Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson upfield for a set piece). After a VAR review, the goal was ruled out, not for offside or handball, but because VAR determined that earlier in the move Dominik Szoboszlai had fouled Erling Haaland — denying him a clear goal-scoring opportunity. �

Reuters

That decision simultaneously saw Szoboszlai sent off, adding to the drama. �

AOL

📍 2. Red card and foul interpretation

The red card for Szoboszlai stemmed directly from the VAR review — a decision that has sparked intense debate. Critics argue the contact was minimal or incidental, while officials judged it sufficient to overturn play and issue a card. �

AOL

🔥 3. Broader reaction from pundits and fans

Pundits, former players, and supporters from both camps were left furious by the late ruling. Sky commentary and former pros described the moment as ruining a “moment of the season,” while social media buzzed with frustration about VAR’s late intervention. �

GB News +1

Erling Haaland — at the heart of the incident — also drew attention for his reaction after the VAR decision was confirmed. �

Athlon Sports

How VAR shaped the result

The controversial VAR ruling didn’t just affect the final goal — it changed the narrative of the game entirely:

Liverpool will feel aggrieved — they held the lead and appeared on the verge of a morale-boosting win before the late twist.

Manchester City gained a crucial three points, narrowing their gap on leaders Arsenal and keeping pressure on in the title race.

VAR’s involvement in the final play will likely be discussed for days, with debates around consistency and interpretation. �

Reuters

The bigger picture — VAR in the Premier League

VAR controversies in the Liverpool vs Man City fixture are not isolated. Over the season, Liverpool have frequently felt on the wrong side of VAR decisions — with some being overturned or disallowed in ways that have frustrated fans and pundits alike. �

This Is Anfield

Critics argue that VAR continues to intervene in moments that should be left to the referee’s original judgment, while supporters say the technology helps prevent obvious mistakes. The challenge remains ensuring consistency and clarity across all matches.

What fans and clubs are saying

Liverpool fans and pundits expressed outrage on social media and in post-match analysis, calling the VAR call “bizarre” and “moment-ruining.”

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola acknowledged the intensity and drama of the match but praised his team’s resilience in the face of pressure. �

The Independent

Conclusion

Today’s Liverpool vs Manchester City match will be remembered as much for its controversial VAR decisions as for the football itself. Whether that controversy will lead to renewed calls for reform or simply another chapter in ongoing VAR debates remains to be seen — but one thing’s for certain: the Premier League’s relationship with video technology shows no signs of calming yet.

If you want, I can also break down each VAR incident with video clips or expert analysis on whether they were correct — just let me know!

Liverpool get instant verdict on Mohamed Salah incident vs Man City as Gary Neville speaks out

Mohamed Salah felt he should have been awarded a first-half penalty against Manchester City – but referee Craig Pawson turned the Liverpool forward’s appeals down

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah went down under pressure from Man City star Bernardo Silva

Gary Neville has claimed that on-field referee Craig Pawson made the right decision not to award Liverpool and Mohamed Salah a penalty in the first half in their clash with Manchester City. Salah, 33, was insistent that he was fouled in the 41st minute after going down inside the box.

The Egyptian felt that he was pulled back by Bernardo Silva, who appeared to have his hand on Salah’s shoulder before the Liverpool forward went crashing down as he appealed for a spot-kick. However, Pawson waved away appeals and VAR also did not get involved.

Delivering his verdict on the incident, Neville said while on co-commentary for Sky Sports: “He felt a hand on the shoulder and went down. I don’t think there is enough there

READ MORE: Liverpool vs Man City LIVE – score, Dominik Szoboszlai, Bernardo Silva, Erling Haaland goals, red cardREAD MORE: Florian Wirtz answering Gary Neville’s ‘little boy’ jibe as Liverpool star eyes Man City impact

“There’s a bit of a panic from Bernardo Silva as he thinks he’s going to score, but he lets go in time. He’s not going to get that. Bernardo Silva was clever enough not to leave his hand on the shoulder for too long.”

Liverpool were far from their best during the opening 45 minutes against City.

Indeed, Arne Slot’s side had just three shots with none on target worth an expected goals (xG) of just 0.14.

think Liverpool have been poor,” Jamie Carragher said at half-time. “I don’t think you can give that much space to the quality that Manchester City have. At times, there is just too much space in the midfield.”

Roy Keane added: “It’s been lacking in quality in the final third. Haaland has had a couple of chances. City have been very good going forward. Liverpool are suffering but they are still very much in this game.

Article continues below

138205441846

“They have to be better when they do get their moments.

“City look strong but it’s nil-nil and Liverpool are in the game, attacking the Kop in the second half.”

The Reds were much more positive and upped the tempo after the break. Indeed, Slot’s side had the same amount of shots (with one of those on target) in the first eight minutes of the second half compared to the whole first half. In that time, they created a xG of 0.19. City, meanwhile, struggled to get out.