With Alisson marooned upfield for a set-piece as Liverpool looked for a late equaliser, Rayan Cherki kicked the ball in the direction of an empty internet.
Haaland gave chase and was clearly going to outpace Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Metropolis striker had overtaken Szoboszlai 25 yards from aim and seemed sure to win the race – however he was pulled again.
It was a transparent foul which referee Craig Pawson recognized, however he performed a bonus.
Because the ball rolled in the direction of the aim with the identical two gamers nonetheless jostling to achieve it, Liverpool‘s Hungary worldwide was about to slip in and clear it off the road.
Earlier than Szoboszlai may achieve this, nevertheless, Haaland pulled him again, and that stopped the house participant from retaining the ball out of the web.
The primary pull on Haaland muddies the waters. In any case, it appeared Haaland was undoubtedly going to attain.
However they’re two distinct conditions. It’s important to separate the primary foul by Szoboszlai and the following offence from Haaland.
Would Szoboszlai have prevented the aim had he not been fouled? There’s a excessive likelihood.
On that foundation it’s unimaginable for the aim to face.
Do not forget that Pawson performed benefit. Had Szoboszlai been allowed to efficiently hold the ball out, the play would have been introduced again and he would have been despatched off.
The tip consequence can be the identical as the result of the VAR intervention: no aim and Szoboszlai despatched off for denying an apparent goalscoring alternative.
In case you take out the primary pull on Haaland, it’s laborious to see how anybody may have an issue with the aim being disallowed.
This isn’t the primary time, or the final, that the VAR has accurately disallowed a aim and other people actually battle to abdomen it.
Sure, the aim could possibly be essential for Manchester Metropolis on the finish of the season. However the aim conceded may additionally transform important for Liverpool.
