The final moments of Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday have ignited a firestorm of debate, but the focus on VAR decisions obscures a more fundamental truth: Liverpool lost because they failed to capitalize on their opportunities. While the disallowed City goal and subsequent red card for Dominik Szoboszlai grabbed headlines, the real story lies in Liverpool's inability to maintain their lead and close out the game.

Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick had given Liverpool a precious lead, but City responded with goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland to turn the game around. The late drama, including Rayan Cherki's disallowed goal after a VAR review that also saw Szoboszlai sent off for a foul on Haaland, has fueled the controversy. The VAR determined that Szoboszlai had committed a holding offense that denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Former referee Mark Halsey defended the VAR's decision, stating that the referee "had no choice" but to disallow the goal and issue the red card.

However, focusing solely on these incidents misses the bigger picture. Liverpool displayed vulnerability, particularly as the game wore on. According to Neil Atkinson's match review in The Anfield Wrap, "The later a game goes the more vulnerable we are". This vulnerability, whether psychological, tactical, or physical, allowed Manchester City to seize control. Liverpool's inability to effectively use their substitutes, partly due to a lack of depth on the bench, further exacerbated their struggles.

Moreover, key players like Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister had a poor first half, contributing to Liverpool's inability to assert dominance. While they improved in the second half, it wasn't enough to stem the tide. Liverpool's fitness levels have also been questioned, with issues stemming from a disrupted pre-season.

While the VAR debate rages on, with discussions on improving the system and ensuring it adheres to its "clear and obvious errors" mandate, it's crucial to acknowledge Liverpool's shortcomings in the match. The team's inability to maintain a high level of performance throughout the game, coupled with tactical vulnerabilities and individual errors, ultimately contributed to their defeat.

In conclusion, while the VAR controversy is a valid talking point, it should not overshadow the fundamental reasons for Liverpool's loss. The focus should be on Liverpool's failure to capitalize on their lead, their vulnerability in the later stages of the game, and the individual and collective errors that ultimately cost them the match. Only by addressing these issues can Liverpool hope to bounce back from this defeat and compete for the title.