Erling Haaland has admitted he feels sympathy for referee Craig Pawson following VAR drama at the end of Manchester City's 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
With City leading following a late penalty from Haaland, Liverpool went forward in search of an equaliser.
Alisson Becker, who was keen to atone after conceding the spot-kick, left his goal exposed after going up for a corner.
City quickly got the ball back and broke quickly, with Rayan Cherki hitting the ball into an empty net from distance.
However, the effort was controversially disallowed, with Haaland and Dominik Szoboszlai grappling as the ball crossed the line.
After a VAR check, Pawson had no choice but to overrule Cherki's effort - with Szoboszlai then swiftly dismissed while a direct free-kick was given instead.
Haaland, speaking after the chaos unfolded, expressed sympathy for Pawson.
A CHAOTIC end to the game at Anfield! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/RYtK2yxriM
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 8, 2026
"Of course, the referee had to follow the rules but this will give him three games, in the end I feel bad for him because he gets three games," he said.
"Just give the goal, don't give a red card. Simple as that.
"It's the rules and how it is.
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Dominik Szoboszlai grappled with Erling Haaland in the closing stages of Man City's win over Liverpool at Anfield | GETTY"Cherki just passed me the ball so I can score but he didn't want to, so that's just how it is!"
The result is, without a doubt, a huge one for City.
At 1-0 down, following a sensational free-kick from Szoboszlai, the eight-time Premier League title winners appeared to be dead and buried.
But City came roaring back, with Bernardo Silva equalising before Haaland kept his composure to score a penalty in stoppage time.
Silva, speaking afterwards, admitted he was relieved and delighted with the result.
"The whole team knew that if we lost this game, probably the title race is over," he said.
Erling Haaland scored the winner as Man City beat Liverpool | GETTY"They're [Arsenal are] still in a much better position than us.
"We felt we needed to win this game. That puts us a bit closer.
"We're going to fight until the end. It's six points, we're happy, but we need to keep doing our job - which we haven't lately."
Roy Keane, speaking on Sky, suggested City have now enjoyed a 'big lift'.
"It's more than three points. Psychologically it's a big lift - and a bit of a hammer blow for Arsenal," he said.
"They still have a nice lead but to see City go a goal down... and then for them to get three points, huge."