Premier League LIVE: Reaction as Man City's win at Liverpool plus Howe news conference

Neville: 'VAR has killed the joy'

Liverpool 1-2 Man City

Rayan Cherki's disallowed goal and the tussle between Erling Haaland and Dominik Szoboszlai that led to Szoboszlai's red card has clearly divided opinion.

Gary Neville made no secret of his frustration with what happened, while covering the game for Sky Sports.

The former Manchester United defender said it "feels so unjust".

"I know there's rules but there is the smell of the game - talk about killjoy, just let the goal be," he said.

"You have just killed one of the great moments of the season.

"You live to watch games like this. I am a fan of VAR, but it has just killed the joy.

"The reason fans watch football matches is for entertainment and for moments like that."

Post

Holly Bacon

BBC Sport reporter

Arne Slot was referring to when Manchester City defender Marc Guehi pulled back Mo Salah on the edge of the box.

Guehi was booked for the offence, which VAR looked at and decided should not be upgraded to a red.

This is what the Premier League Match Centre said on X: "The referee’s call of a free-kick and yellow card to Guehi for the challenge on Salah was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the challenge outside of the area and deemed not to be denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) as there was a covering defender."

What did the managers say?

Liverpool 1-2 Man City

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on the ending to the game: "Come on referee, give the goal and go home!"

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot on Dominik Szoboszlai's red card: "That is not the incident we should talk about. Maybe he should have left it for a goal as it is, but if that is the rule that is what we have to accept.

"If there is any incident we should talk about, it's when Mo Salah is one on one with the goalkeeper. Anyone who has been to this stadium in the last seven or eight years, that is a goal for Salah. Once again, the referee decides not in our favour. They have to do their job."

Tough run beckons for Arteta's Arsenal?

Arsenal

While rivals Manchester City can look forward to two home games in the Premier League, Arsenal play their next two league matches away from Emirates Stadium.

The pressure could be on if City win on Wednesday, with the Gunners travelling to Brentford on Thursday.

They then host League One strugglers Wigan in the FA Cup before travelling to basement club Wolves.

Mikel Arteta's side close out the month with a trip to north London rivals Tottenham before hosting Chelsea in their first match in March.

Can Man City keep the pressure on Arsenal?

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola's side now return to the Etihad for two Premier League fixtures - against Fulham and Newcastle United - either side of an FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to League Two Salford City.

They also have the advantage of playing first in the midweek programme, meaning Arsenal's lead at the top of the table could be down to three points when they next play.

City finish February and start March with two games against teams battling relegation - away to Leeds and at home to Nottingham Forest.

How the top six stands

Here's a look at how Sunday's result has left the top six in the Premier League table.

Arsenal have responded well to last month's defeat at home to Manchester United, winning four games in all competitions since then.

Manchester City have also responded since losing at Michael Carrick's United and, after dropping two points at Tottenham last time out, had to pull out all of the stops at Liverpool to keep the title race alive.

They also opened a three-point lead over Aston Villa in third place, following more dropped points for Unai Emery's side at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Manchester United and Chelsea have opened a gap over Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.

'On that basis, it was impossible for the goal to stand'

Liverpool 1-2 Man City

As the ball rolled towards the goal with the same two players still jostling to reach it, Dominik Szoboszlai was about to slide in and clear it off the line.

Before Szoboszlai could do so, however, Erling Haaland pulled him back, and that stopped the home player from keeping the ball out of the net.

The first pull on the Norway striker muddies the waters. After all, it seemed Haaland was definitely going to score.

But they are two distinct situations. You have to separate the first foul by Szoboszlai and the subsequent offence from Haaland.

Would Szoboszlai have prevented the goal had he not been fouled? There is a high chance.

On that basis it is impossible for the goal to stand.

Remember that referee Craig Pawson played advantage. Had Szoboszlai been allowed to successfully keep the ball out, the play would have been brought back and he would have been sent off.

Read what happened and why from Dale Johnson

get involved

Get Involved - Your views on disallowed goal, red card & title race

Click 'Get Involved' to have your say

Ultimately, the disallowed goal and red card did not affect the outcome of the game, but was it really necessary?

It is rare that a late red card at Anfield could garner universal condemnation from both sides, but that is exactly what has happened.

We would love your views on the debate and how you believe Sunday's result will impact the title race.

Just click the 'Get Involved' button to send us your thoughts.

Click here to read article