Referee Craig Pawson dismissed Dominik Szoboszlai according to the rules; the correct approach.
Refereeing is often a thankless task. Occasionally, even when a decision is spot on, criticism still follows.
In the closing moments at Anfield on Sunday, with Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson advanced, Rayan Cherki directed the ball towards the goal. Erling Haaland pursued it and would have reached the ball to ensure it crossed the line, but Dominik Szoboszlai pulled him back. Szoboszlai would have then reached the ball to clear it if Haaland hadn’t been pulled back. The ball went over the line, but referee Craig Pawson, after consulting VAR, awarded a free-kick for the initial foul, dismissing Szoboszlai for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
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