This is a team that plays very good, high-quality football. Arsenal took advantage of City’s earlier mistakes, but today, in a huge derby, Manchester City defeated Liverpool at Anfield after a comeback and reduced the gap to Arsenal tojust six points. This victory meant everything for Manchester City, who played their most important match of the last few seasons. The stake was very big, and Manchester City needed a victory by any means to stay title race. But Liverpool was leading.
Liverpool is not well organised in the offensive aspect-
Manchester City were the better side in the first half, while Liverpool applied pressure on City’s defensive line in the second. Liverpool attacked, but their organisation on the pitch did not work. They were completely disconnected, with attacking players isolated and ineffective. It looked like a team playing together for the first time. There was no attacking structure, and their shots were poor—far, far away from goal.
Then came a moment of individual brilliance: a free kick from more than 30 meters out against Donnarumma, who positioned his wall terribly. He underestimated Szoboszlai’s shot, which went around the wall, hit the post, and ended in a spectacular goal. Liverpool were imprecise and inefficient, but Szoboszlai brought them a leading goal in this game.
As the match progressed, Manchester City grew stronger while Liverpool declined further. Liverpool were poor offensively: mistakes from Gakpo, Salah, and Ekitike, with Gravenberch and Mac Allister only waking up late in the game. Liverpool looked like an ageing team with a weak structure, players clearly past their peak. They looked like an old lion.
The team was dismantled in the summer when Liverpool sold several key players and replaced them with a disjointed structure that cannot deliver at the highest level. Szoboszlai is now the embodiment of this Liverpool—once intense and relentless, now a slow, limited giant with a shallow squad.
Liverpool is an old lion that was destroyed last summer:
This is no longer the Liverpool of Firmino and Salah, who ran endlessly and pressed ferociously. From Champions League winners, they have become a team lacking elite quality in the team. Their roster is so limited and cant gat trophies because they wrongly made the summer transfer window. The selection was catastrophic, and we see that now.
Arne Slot was given an extremely difficult task. He sold the most important players and spent poorly, leaving Liverpool in an alarming situation. Defensive problems have already forced them into the market, but transfers alone will not fix this.
Manchester City exploited Alisson’s poor positioning and reacted to a loose ball dropped by Haaland inside the box. In the 84th minute, it was 1–1.
City continued to attack. After a clear foul inside Liverpool’s penalty area, City were awarded a penalty—an opportunity to take the lead. Haaland converted, despite Szoboszlai trying to distract him before the kick.
At 2–1, City had another counterattack with Haaland and Silva inside the box, but Aït-Nouri went for the shot himself, and Alisson saved this time. Still, Alisson was directly responsible for both goals Liverpool conceded.
Those who fly too high often fall the hardest. Szoboszlai’s red card and controversy. It ended as a disaster for Liverpool.
Then came a controversial situation at the end. Haaland was through one-on-one when Szoboszlai arrived late. As the last defender, Szoboszlai grabbed Haaland with both hands as he ran toward the goal. Play initially continued, and inside the penalty area, Szoboszlai again held Haaland with both arms. This was a second foul and should have been another penalty.
The referee initially allowed play to continue, and in the chaos, Haaland wrestled free, the ball fell loose, and Manchester City scored a third goal.
Referee Pawson, who otherwise officiated the match excellently, did not immediately blow the whistle. He went to review the incident and correctly ruled on the first foul, the moment when Szoboszlai clearly used both hands to stop Haaland from scoring on an open path to the goal. The decision was clear: a free kick for Manchester City and a red card for Szoboszlai, who will likely face a lengthy suspension.
Dirty play and the illusion that physical intimidation can’t stop a striker like Haaland do not suit players who are simply not good enough. But he is an average player, which is why he does this.
He is a useful player for Liverpool who can fill gaps wherever Slot needs him, but the problem arises when you play at a level you do not belong to. Haaland physically dominated him in every moment. Szoboszlai’s football is not at that level, and at times, he looks amateurish on the pitch. Also, his behaviour is bad, and he is limited.
Unsporting behaviour, grabbing Haaland, constant complaining, and disrespect toward the opponent define Dominik Szoboszlai’s performance. Those who fly too high often fall the hardest.
The title race chances:
Manchester City remain six points behind Arsenal, a team that is anything but unreachable. City can play much better than this, and Arsenal are now under pressure again. We are entering the decisive phase of the Premier League title race, where everything is still open.
Both teams are outstanding. City has a younger, more talented squad, while Arsenal are extremely compact defensively, very well drilled, and extremely dedicated to its play style. They are fast, defensively indoctrinated, and possess enormous depth and quality—both on the pitch and on the bench.
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