Fans of Liverpool are fuming after a dramatic Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday, February 8, 2026, ended in controversy and heartbreak at Anfield. The Reds looked set to take a crucial victory, only for late drama — and a disputed decision in the penalty area — to leave supporters seeing red.

The match itself followed a roller-coaster script. Liverpool took the lead in the second half through a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, but City fought back with a late Bernardo Silva equalizer before Erling Haaland’s stoppage-time penalty secured a 2-1 win for the visitors.

However, what has truly infuriated many supporters didn’t just happen on the scoresheet — it was the contentious moments deep inside the box that have sent social media into meltdown. Several fans argue that key challenges, including a Marc Guehi foul on Mohamed Salah, should have resulted in a penalty and possibly even a red card, but those appeals were waved away by referee Craig Pawson and the VAR team.

Adding to the outrage was the finish itself: in stoppage time, a seemingly brilliant long-range strike by Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki that appeared destined for the net was ruled out after a VAR review. The official decision — to send off Szoboszlai for denying a goalscoring chance and award a free kick to City instead — has been heavily debated, with many fans calling it baffling and inconsistent with the flow of the play.

Supporters on social platforms have lambasted the lack of explanation from Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL), accusing the officiating body of silence in the face of a highly controversial ending. Without clarity from refereeing chiefs, frustration has only grown louder among the Liverpool faithful.

“This is exactly why fans despise VAR,” one supporter wrote online, while another called for an overhaul of how key decisions are communicated to the public.

With emotions running high after a fiercely contested derby and pivotal points dropped in the Premier League table, Liverpool fans are demanding answers — and they’re not willing to let this one go quietly.