Liverpool fans had VAR to thank for ruling out Phil Foden's opening goal for a shirt pull on Fabinho from Erling Haaland.
City thought they had opened the scoring in the second-half to jubilant scenes in the away end when Erling Haaland and Alisson Becker collided and the ball fell to Foden, who thumped in off the foot of Joe Gomez. But while the coming together between the Reds goalkeeper and Haaland was deemed fair, VAR official Darren England instructed Anthony Taylor to check the screen.
And after a quick look back at the incident, the referee called for a foul from Haaland on Fabinho, with the Norwegian pulling the Liverpool midfielder to the ground and allowing Bernardo Silva to run on to the loose ball - as was confirmed by the Premier League.
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Speaking on live commentary during the game, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville echoed what was likely being discussed between Taylor and England, with Haaland's sly tug of the shirt enough to obstruct Fabinho and leave Silva free to run on to the ball.
"Pep’s going mad, whatever happens coming out of this, I imagine it's going to be cancelled which will mean this atmosphere will be electric and turned up.," Neville said. "There’s that tug on the shirt from Haaland on Fabinho there, that’s why the goal's going to be disallowed.
"He’s been here before, it’s just the tug of the shirt from his right hand. I have to say he holds on for too long to pull Fabinho down. I think it’s the right decision."
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