Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland took to social media to praise Dominik Szoboszlai following the Hungarian’s stunning free-kick during the dramatic comeback at Anfield on Sunday night.

Despite the intense rivalry on the pitch, Haaland was quick to acknowledge the sheer quality displayed by his former teammate in a match that could prove pivotal in the Premier League title race.

Erling Haaland praises Dominik Szoboszlai for his free-kick

Following the final whistle of the pulsating encounter, Haaland shared a post on Snapchat that quickly went viral.

The Norwegian striker uploaded a still photo from the Liverpool free-kick during the match, with a seven-word message for Szoboszlai.

Haaland captioned the image with a playful seven-word message: “Domi what a goal smile a bit.”

The comment was a direct reference to Szoboszlai’s spectacular long-range strike that opened the scoring, as well as the Liverpool midfielder’s chaotic red card in the end.

Haaland and Szoboszlai are good friends from time at RB Salzburg

The message shows a bond between the two players that predates their time in England.

Haaland and Szoboszlai were close friends during their time at RB Salzburg, where they formed a lethal partnership that terrorized the Austrian Bundesliga and announced their talents to the world in the Champions League.

The close friendship was also seen during the game as the Hungarian midfielder tried to get into Haaland’s head as he stood up to take the winning penalty.

Haaland later revealed what he told Szoboszlai during the friendly exchange. He said: “This is the first time I don’t want to speak with you.

Maybe next time ? pic.twitter.com/MWydTqdEBq

— Manchester City US (@ManCityUS) February 8, 2026

Their friendship has remained intact despite playing for the two biggest rivals in English football.

While they are fierce competitors for 90 minutes, their mutual respect is well-documented, with both players frequently speaking highly of each other’s development since leaving Austria.

The post Erling Haaland sends seven-word message to Dominik Szoboszlai after dramatic Anfield comeback appeared first on CaughtOffside.

VAR’s decision to chalk off a late Manchester City goal and send Dominik Szoboszlai off has been widely criticised, with critics claiming that VAR is killing the fun in the game.

The controversy erupted in the dying seconds of Manchester City’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.

What happened: Goal chalked off and Dominic Szoboszlai sent off

The incident occurred in the 100th minute. With Liverpool chasing an equaliser, goalkeeper Alisson Becker had gone up for a corner, leaving the Reds’ goal completely unguarded.

City cleared the danger, and substitute Rayan Cherki launched a counter-attack, striking the ball towards the empty net from the halfway line.

As the ball rolled towards the goal, goal-scorer Dominik Szoboszlai and Erling Haaland engaged in a desperate foot race to the line. Szoboszlai tugged at Haaland’s shirt to slow him down, and the Norwegian striker retaliated by pulling back.

The ball eventually crossed the line, seemingly sealing a 3-1 win for City.

However, VAR intervened. Instead of playing the advantage and allowing the goal to stand, referee Craig Pawson was instructed to disallow the strike.

He brought play back to the initial foul and showed Szoboszlai a straight red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, wiping the goal off the scoreboard in favour of a free-kick.

Pep Guardiola reacts to controversial VAR decision

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was left scratching his head at the strict application of the rules over common sense.

Speaking after the match, he expressed his frustration that the game’s natural conclusion was interrupted by technology.

Pep Guardiola on the dramatic ending of the match (via BBC Sport): “Come on referee, give goal and go home!”

Strong reaction against VAR decision

The decision has sparked fury among pundits and fans alike, who feel the rigid application of the laws ruined a spectacular moment.

Gary Neville on Sky Sports (via BBC Sport): “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. Talk about a killjoy. They have just killed one of the great moments of the season.”

Fans also reacted on social media

One wrote:

“What a shocking decision at the end of Liverpool game didn’t deserve a red card just let the goal stand. Process, process is killing the game.”

Another said:

“And that is why VAR is killing the game, you’ve taken away a glorious moment to make sure you got a decision “technically” correct. Absolutely pointless and a poor end to a great second half of football.”

Moments like this are when VAR rightly gets criticised.

Stupid.

— Anfield Edition | æ (@AnfieldEdition) February 8, 2026

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Anfield witnessed one of the undisputed games of the season this Sunday, as Manchester City clawed their way back from a goal down to snatch a dramatic 2-1 victory, ending with a red card, a disallowed goal, and touchline chaos.

The clash between the title rivals lived up to every bit of the hype, delivering a second half of relentless drama.

It looked as if Liverpool had struck a decisive blow in the title race, but a late collapse and a controversial VAR intervention ensured the points went back to Manchester.

Szoboszlai free-kick opened the scoring for the Liverpool

After a tense first hour, the deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion in the 74th minute. Liverpool won a free-kick 25 yards out, and Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to produce a moment of magic.

The Hungarian midfielder unleashed a dipping, swerving effort that left Gianluigi Donnarumma stranded, crashing in off the post to send the Kop into raptures.

It was a strike worthy of winning any game, and for ten minutes, it seemed certain to be the difference maker.

Alisson Blunder resulted in Erling Haaland winner from the spot

City equalised against the run of play through Bernardo Silva in the 84th minute, but the true turning point came in stoppage time.

With the game poised at 1-1, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker suffered a catastrophic rush of blood.

Racing off his line to close down Matheus Nunes, the Brazilian mistimed his slide completely, wiping out the City midfielder in the box.

The referee pointed straight to the spot, and Erling Haaland stepped up to silence Anfield, burying the penalty in the bottom corner to make it 2-1 in the 93rd minute.

Donnarumma incredible save in stoppage time to deny Mac Allister

Liverpool threw everything forward in search of an equalizer, and they nearly found it deep into added time.

A clearance fell to Alexis Mac Allister on the edge of the box, who struck a venomous volley destined for the top corner.

However, Donnarumma produced a world-class save, flying to his right to claw the ball away.

It was a match-winning intervention that preserved City’s slender lead amidst the dying embers of the game.

If it was David Raya that made this type of Gianluigi Donnarumma's save against Liverpool tonight. We wouldn't hear the end of it.

pic.twitter.com/Svx9xdpm8z

— ???????? ? (@CFC_Muj) February 8, 2026

Controversial VAR drama: Cherki’s goal chalked off to get Szoboszlai sent off

The chaos peaked in the 100th minute. With Alisson up for a Liverpool corner, City broke on the counter.

Substitute Rayan Cherki raced clear and rolled the ball into the empty net for what appeared to be City’s third goal.

However, VAR intervened in bizarre fashion. Replays showed Szoboszlai pulling Erling Haaland back in the build-up as they chased the ball, who then pulled Szoboszlai to deny him from clearing from the goal line.

A CHAOTIC end to the game at Anfield! ? pic.twitter.com/RYtK2yxriM

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2026

Instead of allowing the advantage and the goal to stand, the referee was instructed to disallow Cherki’s strike due to Haaland’s foul on Szoboszlai.

What made it further bizarre is that Szoboszlai offence was deemed red card worthy as he denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

The goal was disallowed, Szoboszlai was sent off, Man City were awarded a free-kick and seconds later the final whistle was blown.

WHAT JUST WENT DOWN AT ANFIELD?

Cherki fires from halfway, Szoboszlai pulls Haaland, Haaland retaliates, goal scored. City win the game.

Referee gets sent to the monitor, goal disallowed, Szoboszlai RED, and Man City get a last-minute free-kick.

Pure chaos right at the death! pic.twitter.com/rVYHmbHTMS

— Football Paparazzi (@PaparazziFutbal) February 8, 2026

It was a confusing, chaotic end to a breathless encounter, leaving Anfield stunned and the City away end delirious.

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Dominik Szoboszlai has just scored an outrageous free-kick to give Liverpool a deserving lead at Anfield against Manchester City.

Arne Slot’s side has fully dominated the second half and done everything but put the ball in the back of the net.

But when Liverpool won a free-kick, it was the Hungarian midfielder who stepped up take it.

And just as he has so many times this season, Szoboszlai did not disappoint. Full of confidence, the Liverpool star unleashed a rocket of a strike that flew into the top right corner.

Donnarumma could not do anything about it he stood there watching the ball fly past him into the back of the net.

Watch the stunning goal below:

Dominik Szoboszlai that is absolutely out of this world! WOW! ? pic.twitter.com/N17F24GJzG

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2026

Liverpool’s new set-piece expert

This moment of magic comes as no surprise to the Anfield faithful, who have watched Szoboszlai evolve into one of the deadliest dead-ball specialists in Europe this season.

He has already built a highlight reel of set-piece stunners during the 2025/26 campaign.

Fans will instantly recall his similar effort against Arsenal back in August, where he struck a magnificent winner past David Raya to secure a vital 1-0 victory.

He repeated the feat in the Champions League in January, netting a crucial free-kick against Marseille and curled one against Bournemouth.

With Trent no more at Anfield, Szoboszlai has fully assumed the mantle of Liverpool’s primary set-piece taker, proving time and again that he can decide the biggest matches with a single swing of his right boot.

Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s best player this season

While his goals steal the headlines, Szoboszlai’s influence goes far beyond free-kicks.

The 25-year-old has arguably been the first name on Arne Slot’s team sheet, filling in everywhere from attacking midfield to right-back during an injury crisis earlier in the campaign.

His relentless pressing, creativity, and leadership have driven Liverpool’s title charge. Slot has frequently praised the midfielder’s “incredible” engine and mentality, citing him as the embodiment of the high-intensity style he wants to play.

Whether winning the ball back deep in his own half or firing rockets into the top corner, Szoboszlai is currently playing the football of his life.

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Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is reportedly eager to earn huge wages if he is to sign a new contract at Anfield.

The Hungary international has been one of Liverpool’s most important players this season, and most fans would probably agree that he deserves a new and improved deal, and that keeping him at the club would be important.

However, it could be that Szoboszlai is now demanding as much as £300,000 per week, according to Hungarian outlet Blikk.

Additional information from Anfield Watch states that Szoboszlai currently earns more like £120-150k per week, so it could be that he’s going to more than double his wages.

Should Liverpool pay up to keep Dominik Szoboszlai?

Liverpool surely need to do whatever they can to keep Szoboszlai at Anfield, but it might be tricky for them to pay quite as much as he’s apparently asking for here.

Anfield Watch’s report also notes that a £300k-per-week contract would put him ahead of Alexander Isak in terms of earnings.

Perhaps that’s justified as Szoboszlai has performed so well this season, much better, in fact, than Isak has.

At the same time, though, it is perhaps unclear if Szoboszlai has fully worked his way into that kind of bracket yet, or if producing this level more consistently over a longer period will be required first.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s impact for Liverpool this season

Szoboszlai has eight goals and six assists from midfield so far this season, meaning he’s already matched his goal tally from last term.

The 25-year-old looks like he’s just hitting his peak, and it’s easy to imagine him being a success at other top clubs.

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Capable of playing a variety of midfield roles, Szoboszlai has also done a decent job when asked to fill in at right-back for Arne Slot’s side.

What do you think LFC fans? Is Szoboszlai worth whatever he’s asking for, or should the club be careful about paying over the odds here? Give us your thoughts in the comments!

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