Liverpool: Which games will Dominik Szoboszlai miss after Man City red card? | OneFootball

Liverpool’s makeshift defender was sent off in controversial circumstances

Dominik Szoboszlai controversially saw red late on in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat by Manchester City on Sunday.

However, he, and his team-mates, saw their afternoon unfold rapidly, as Bernardo Silva cancelled out his opener before Erling Haaland completed the City turnaround from the penalty spot.

Szoboszlai was then sent off for denying Haaland a goalscoring opportunity as the pair wrestled while pursuing Rayan Cherki’s effort from range in the last seconds of the match.

Cherki’s effort dribbled into the open goal - vacated by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, who had gone up for the hosts’ last-minute corner - without a touch from either Szoboszlai or Haaland, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for a foul on Liverpool’s makeshift right-back.

Szoboszlai was then given his marching orders in controversial fashion for his part in the incident.

Szoboszlai will be suspended for just one match following his red card.

Premier League rules stipulate that denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity warrants just a single-match suspension.

As such, he will be unavailable for selection for Liverpool’s trip to Sunderland in midweek.

It means that Szboszlai could return for the FA Cup clash with Brighton on February 14, and the Premier League encounter at Nottingham Forest the following week.

It comes at a terrible time for Slot, who is already struggling with an injury crisis at right-back.

Both of his first-choice options, Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, are out injured, while Joe Gomez, who has deputised in the position, is also a doubt for the visit to the Stadium of Light with a hip problem.

Curtis Jones has previously been fielded at right full-back and could get the nod once more for what could prove to be a pivotal game for the Premier League champions in their pursuit of Champions League football.

Sunday’s defeat meant they lost ground on Manchester United and Chelsea in the race to finish in the top five, with Slot’s side now five points off United in fourth and four off fifth-placed Chelsea.