After Liverpool's loss, coach Arne Slot criticized the lack of a red card for Man City's Marc Guéhi following a controversial foul on Mohamed Salah. The incident occurred in the 68th minute when Guéhi pulled Salah to the ground outside the penalty area. Referee Craig Pawson issued a yellow card, but Liverpool argued for a red due to denial of a goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO). VAR upheld the decision, citing insufficient evidence of a clear goalscoring chance, as Salah's shot was not immediate and a covering defender was present. This ruling intensified debates over VAR consistency, with Slot insisting the foul warranted stricter punishment.

The referee's decision to award a penalty to Man City in added time further fueled tensions. After Alisson Becker collided with Matheus Nunes while the ball was in play, the on-field call was confirmed by VAR John Brooks. Critics questioned whether Alisson's late challenge deserved a red card, but the protocol prioritized the penalty over disciplinary action. The decision preserved City's 2-1 comeback, altering Premier League title race dynamics.

Dominik Szoboszlai's red card in stoppage time added complexity. While Haaland's foul on Szoboszlai initially allowed a goal, VAR intervened to disallow it and issue the red. The review highlighted conflicting interpretations of DOGSO: Haaland's shirt-pulling was deemed a clear foul, but Szoboszlai's earlier holding offense justified the dismissal. This dual ruling underscored VAR's role in balancing foul severity and match flow.

The Premier League's title race now hinges on such marginal calls. Liverpool's frustration reflects broader concerns about VAR's interpretive subjectivity, particularly in high-stakes matches. As the season progresses, these decisions could define team trajectories, with City maintaining momentum and Liverpool seeking redress for contentious rulings.