Liverpool Star's Dramatic Fall from Grace Caps Wild Finale Against Man City

Dominik Szoboszlai was at the heart of Liverpool's chaotic 2–1 loss to Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.

Following his spectacular free-kick opener, the influential Hungarian midfielder was responsible for Bernardo Silva's leveler. He was powerless to prevent Erling Haaland's injury-time penalty conversion before receiving his marching orders for dragging the Norwegian forward down during an absolutely frantic finale.

Liverpool's standout performer this season became the antagonist on Sunday despite nearly stealing the spotlight once more. It was cruelly ironic that Szoboszlai marked his thunderous free kick with a finger snap—that's precisely how rapidly his day fell apart.

Hero Turned to Villain

Hero Turned to Villain

Absolutely no one wanted that goal disallowed or Szoboszlai sent off. pic.twitter.com/049ryd8qpg

"We are on it," Szoboszlai declared before Sunday's match. While his colleagues have occasionally fallen short of that standard this campaign, Szoboszlai has consistently delivered—particularly in the 74th minute.

The Hungarian's ferocious free kick carried real venom, curling around the wall before whipping back in the opposite direction. Gianluigi Donnarumma was reduced to mere observer status alongside the 61,000 fans packed into Anfield, helplessly watching as the ball ricocheted off the post en route to the net.

Eight-time Premier League winner and former right-back Gary Neville quickly praised the midfielder as "very accomplished" in his makeshift defensive role, though his inexperience in that position was exposed for City's equalizer. Ball-watching as Haaland flicked on, Szoboszlai was the deepest defender keeping Bernardo onside—a mistake he acknowledged by roaring into the Merseyside evening.

Alisson bore responsibility for the penalty Haaland dispatched, yet Szoboszlai took it upon himself to prevent his former RB Salzburg colleague from adding a second. Both players pursued Rayan Cherki's pass from midfield while Alisson looked on after venturing forward for a late set piece. Szoboszlai initially tugged at Haaland, who maintained his footing before grasping the Hungarian, who tumbled as the ball rolled into the empty goal.

In a perfect example of VAR's lack of context, the remote officials instructed the referee to disallow the goal, award a free kick and show Szoboszlai a red card.

Liverpool Player Ratings vs. Man City (4-2-3-1)

Liverpool Player Ratings vs. Man City (4-2-3-1)

*Ratings courtesy of FotMob*

GK: Alisson—6.3: Quick to react early on, smothering Haaland at close quarters but negated his fine work with a reckless penalty concession.

RB: Dominik Szoboszlai—6.9: Where do you start? That he still ranked among Liverpool's top performers despite his dismissal speaks volumes about an eventful display.

CB: Ibrahima Konaté—7.3: Experienced mixed fortunes in his battles with Omar Marmoush, who appeared slightly more alert than the French defender.

CB: Virgil van Dijk—6.5: Both he and Haaland forced awkward challenges from each other in a contest the latter eventually won.

LB: Milos Kerkez—6.6: Facing his ex-Bournemouth teammate at Anfield for the second time this season, Kerkez showed vast improvement from his difficult Liverpool debut in August.

CM: Ryan Gravenberch—6.9: Utilized his lengthy stride to surge forward but in doing so created gaps for City centrally.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister—6.4: Failed to impose himself on the game.

AM: Florian Wirtz—6.3: Sprinkled the match with clever, mischievous touches. Liverpool needed more of his magic.

RW: Mohamed Salah—6.6: Clearly couldn't match Rayan Aït-Nouri for pace, but his mental sharpness still emerged occasionally when given space and possession.

ST: Hugo Ekitiké—6.6: Wasted the match's best opportunity while it remained goalless with a surprisingly weak header.

LW: Cody Gakpo—7.2: Operated on the fringes of the action.

SUB: Curtis Jones (85' for Gakpo)—N/A

SUB: Federico Chiesa (90+3' for Kerkez)—N/A

Unused substitutes: Freddie Woodman (GK), Giorgi Mamardashvili (GK), Andy Robertson, Calvin Ramsay, Trey Nyoni, Wataru Endo, Rio Ngumoha.

What These Ratings Tell Us

What These Ratings Tell Us

The Statistics Behind Liverpool's Performance

The Statistics Behind Liverpool's Performance