Manchester City beat Liverpool at Anfield to stay in the Premier League title race - but only after a dramatic finale provided by VAR. City came from behind to win 2-1 and complete a league double over their rivals in chaotic and confusing fashion.

Dominik Szoboszlai smashed Liverpool ahead with a stunning long-range free-kick yet ended the game with a red card in astonishing fashion.

Bernardo Silva fired City level from Erling Haaland's knock-down before Alisson clattered Matheus Nunes to hand City a penalty late on. Haaland converted the spot-kick to put City 2-1 up in the 93rd minute.

But more was to come, with Alisson heading up to the other end of the pitch as Liverpool desperately chased an equaliser. That left the goal open on the counter-attack and City thought they had gone 3-1 up in the closing stages as Rayan Cherki's effort dribbled over the line.

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Szoboszlai and Haaland raced back after the ball and pulled each others' shirts, only for the ball to roll over the goaline untouched. However, VAR cancelled the goal, awarding City a free-kick outside the area while sending off Szoboszlai for the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Szoboszlai trudged off and City managed to see out the remaining minutes to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League to six points. After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Manchester City.

Official Craig Pawson said: “After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, that pulls the shirt of Dominic Szoboszlai. Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The final decision is a direct free kick to Manchester City and a red card.”

It was a chaotic and confusing end to the match, which had Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville fuming at referee Craig Pawson.

"You live to watch games like this. I am a fan of VAR but it has just killed the joy," Neville said. "The reason fans watch football matches is for entertainment and for moments like that."

He added: "Talk about a killjoy. They have just killed one of the great moments of the season."

Here is a breakdown of the crazy finish at Anfield:

• 73:26 mins: Szoboszlai smashes brilliant free-kick in off the post to put Liverpool 1-0 up.


• 83:37 mins: Silva equalises for City from Haaland's knock-down header.


• 92:42 mins: Haaland fires City ahead from the penalty spot after Alisson fouled Nunes.


• 98:01 mins: Alexis Mac Allister is denied an equaliser by an outstanding save by Gianluigi Donnarumma.


• 102:28 mins: Szoboszlai is sent off in chaotic scenes.

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