“I feel bad for him”, says Haaland in reaction to Szoboszlai dismissal | OneFootball

Erling Haaland shared his sympathy for friend Dominik Szoboszlai following his red card as Man City fought back to a stunning 2-1 win over Liverpool for a first victory at Anfield attended by fans in 24 years.

The Hungarian international pulled back the striker to prevent him tapping the ball into the net vacated by Alisson in search of a 100th-minute equalizer, with the goal being chalked off for a free kick after a VAR review.

Bernardo Silva’s equalizer nine minutes prior inspired City to keep their hopes of an eleventh Premier League title alive, Arsenal’s lead to six points, after which Haaland suggested Szoboszlai would much rather have conceded.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I feel bad for him. A referee has to follow the rules, but this will give him three games [out]. Just give the goal, don’t give the red card, but it’s just how it is.”

The Norwegian also made sure to credit Gianluigi Donnarumma for his remarkable save keeping out a superb long-range strike from Alexis Mac Allister – evidence that the Italian goalkeeper is the “best in the world”.

Haaland had a quieter game than his impeccable standards lead fans to usually expect, registering the fewest touches (22) of any outfield player that played the entire 90 minutes.

But ending with a goal and assist to keep City well and truly in the title fight, it is unlikely he will care for having been kept quiet by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté for most of the game.

His teammate Silva believed the landmark victory for the Citizens was made all the more special by the challenge Anfield presents, claiming it is the hardest place to grind out a result in the division.

The 31-year-old said: “For me, it’s the toughest place in the Premier League by far and usually for most teams a draw is not a bad result – but we needed another one.

“To get in nine seasons the first win apart from the Covid year, you must imagine how tough it is to win here. I’m really happy.

“I feel the whole team knew that if we lost this game, the title race is over. The hope is there, we’re going to fight until the end.

“These points count as much as in any other game, it’s been quite frustrating because in my opinion we could be much closer to Arsenal.”

Man City will return to the Etihad Stadium for their encounter with Fulham next Saturday brimming with confidence, knowing that they remember how to turn games around.

With a costly 11 points dropped from leading positions at half-time, second only to struggling West Ham’s 13 and more than Arsenal’s advantage heading into the tie, this will come as a huge relief to Pep Guardiola.

As for Liverpool, they remain sixth but are four points from Chelsea a place above them and level on points with surprise package Brentford.

Now without key midfielder Szoboszlai, the Reds are well and truly at risk of slipping further if they fail to get back to winning ways at Sunderland – unlike Liverpool, a team unbeaten at home all season.