In the chaotic final moments of the game, Dominik Szoboszlai—deployed as an emergency right-back due to injuries and tactical adjustments—was involved in the contentious sequence that saw Rayan Cherki’s speculative effort cross the line after Haaland and Szoboszlai tangled. VAR ultimately disallowed the goal for Haaland’s retaliatory foul but punished Szoboszlai with a straight red card for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO), leaving Liverpool to finish the match with 10 men.
While much of the debate has centered on the refereeing decisions, Haaland’s post-match comments to Sky Sports have ignited fresh discussion among Liverpool fans. The Norwegian striker, who converted the decisive penalty and has a history with Szoboszlai from their time together at RB Salzburg, expressed genuine sympathy for the Hungarian. “For me, of course the referee has to follow the rules, but this will give him three games, and in the end I feel bad for him,” Haaland said. He added, “Just give the goal, don’t give a red card. Simple as that.”
This show of respect and fairness from one of the Premier League’s most feared attackers has been interpreted by some as high praise for Szoboszlai’s overall quality and character. Haaland’s reluctance to see his former teammate harshly punished—despite the incident benefiting City—highlights Szoboszlai’s reputation as a player who commands respect even from elite opponents. The midfielder, often criticized by sections of the Liverpool support for inconsistency or being a “flop” in certain big games, has shown flashes of brilliance, including his stunning long-range free-kick opener against City that had Anfield dreaming of victory.
Fans online have seized on Haaland’s words as vindication. Supporters argue that when a world-class striker like Haaland—who knows Szoboszlai’s game intimately—feels compelled to defend him publicly, it speaks volumes. “Elite players speak, football listens,” one viral post read, echoing the sentiment that pitch-level respect often outweighs terrace criticism. Others pointed out Szoboszlai’s versatility in filling in at right-back, his composure under pressure, and his ability to deliver in key moments, suggesting he’s far more solid and dependable than detractors claim—especially when compared to others in the backline beyond Virgil van Dijk.
The praise has sparked heated debate across social media platforms. Liverpool diehards who have labeled Szoboszlai harshly in the past are now facing pushback, with many insisting the narrative has been unfair all along. “Haaland ending the debate with class,” one fan tweeted, while others shared clips of Szoboszlai’s standout performances to counter the “flop” tag. Even neutrals have chimed in, noting how rare it is for a rival star to show such empathy post-defeat for their side.
This isn’t the first time Szoboszlai has drawn admiration from opponents. His technical ability, work rate, and leadership have earned nods from across the league, but Haaland’s comments carry extra weight given their shared history and the high stakes of the encounter. Amid Liverpool’s title challenge—now dented by the loss and Szoboszlai’s impending suspension—the endorsement serves as a timely boost for the player’s confidence and standing within the squad.
As Arne Slot’s side looks ahead to upcoming fixtures without their suspended midfielder, the incident underscores the fine margins in elite football. Haaland’s gesture reminds everyone that respect on the pitch often transcends rivalries and fan noise. Whether this shifts perceptions of Szoboszlai long-term remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: when Erling Haaland speaks positively about a player, the football world takes notice.
The title race continues to heat up, and moments like this—blending controversy, sportsmanship, and unexpected praise—only add fuel to the fire.
