A late flurry of drama saw Manchester City snatch a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, a match punctuated by a controversial VAR decision and a red card issued to Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai. The sequence of events unfolded in the dying embers of the game, leaving fans and pundits alike debating the decisions made.

The home side initially took the lead in the 74th minute courtesy of a stunning free-kick from Szoboszlai, who was filling in at right-back. The Hungarian midfielder unleashed an unstoppable shot that curled past City's goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and into the net off the post. However, City responded with Bernardo Silva equalizing in the 84th minute following a flick from Erling Haaland. Haaland then converted a penalty in the 93rd minute to put City ahead.

In a desperate attempt to equalize, Liverpool sent everyone forward, including goalkeeper Alisson Becker. A loose ball was collected by City substitute Rayan Cherki, who launched it towards the unguarded Liverpool net from inside his own half. Haaland and Szoboszlai then engaged in a race to reach the ball. Szoboszlai, in an attempt to prevent Haaland from reaching the ball, clearly tugged at the City striker's jersey. Haaland reacted by pulling back on Szoboszlai, who then fell to the ground inside the penalty area as Cherki's shot trickled over the line.

Initially, the referee, Craig Pawson, awarded the goal to Manchester City. However, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), John Brooks, intervened and advised Pawson to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. After reviewing the footage, Pawson reversed his decision, disallowing City's goal and issuing a straight red card to Szoboszlai for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

The decision to send off Szoboszlai sparked debate. According to the laws of the game, a player can be sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity by committing a foul. In this instance, Szoboszlai's jersey pull on Haaland was deemed to have prevented the City striker from potentially intercepting Cherki's shot before it crossed the line.

Some argue that the red card was harsh, suggesting that Haaland was unlikely to have caught the ball before it went in, regardless of the foul. Others maintain that Szoboszlai's actions constituted a clear foul that prevented a goal-scoring opportunity, thus warranting the red card. The disallowed goal added another layer of complexity to the situation, with some questioning whether Cherki's shot would have been saved had Haaland not been impeded.

Ultimately, Manchester City secured a vital 2-1 victory, their first league double over Liverpool since 1936/37. The win keeps them in the Premier League title race, although they remain six points behind leaders Arsenal. The game will be remembered not only for the quality of football on display but also for the dramatic finale and the controversial VAR decisions that shaped the outcome.