Manchester City secures dramatic late win over Liverpool
Manchester City produced a stunning late comeback to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield on Sunday, dramatically altering this season’s Premier League title race, though the fixture concluded amidst controversy following a VAR check, reports BritPanorama.
City appeared to be heading for defeat when Dominik Szoboszlai put the Reds ahead with a thunderbolt free-kick. However, hopes of a City revival were ignited when Bernardo Silva equalised, reigniting the visitors’ ambition as the match drew on.
In stoppage time, Alisson Becker committed a costly foul on Matheus Nunes inside the box, leading to a penalty. Erling Haaland stepped up to confidently fire City into a crucial lead.
The game was not concluded in typically straightforward fashion. With Liverpool desperate for an equaliser, and Alisson seeking redemption for his prior error, the Brazilian advanced for a set-piece. City quickly seized possession and launched a counterattack, resulting in Rayan Cherki capitalising on an empty net to appear to secure a third goal.
As it turned out, this goal was controversially ruled out following VAR intervention, stemming from a grapple between Haaland and Szoboszlai as the ball crossed the line. Both players were holding each other, yet the decision went against City, with Szoboszlai receiving a red card for his part in the incident.
The subsequent direct free-kick awarded to City saw Cherki misfire over the bar. Yet, ultimately, it was Haaland’s penalty that secured the victory, highlighting how VAR has reignited debates about fairness in officiating.
The aftermath of the match witnessed significant outrage, particularly from commentators and fans. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville denounced VAR’s role in negating what he described as “one of the great moments of the season.” The discontent echoed across social media, where critics called for a reassessment of VAR implementation, with comments ranging from the necessity of preserving the spontaneity of football to calls for comprehensive reform.
This victory places City just six points behind Arsenal in the Premier League standings, while Liverpool finds itself mired in a tighter competition, trailing behind Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for a top-four finish.
In the end, football’s unpredictability proved once again that it thrives on drama and debate — a reminder that while results can change the course of a season, the discourse surrounding them can linger far longer. It’s in these moments that the spirit of the game is both celebrated and scrutinised, reflecting the ever-thorny relationship between sport and technology.
