- - Why is Dominik Szoboszlai not playing for Liverpool vs. Sunderland?

Seth Vertelney, USA TODAYFebruary 11, 2026 at 7:30 PM

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Why is Dominik Szoboszlai not playing for Liverpool vs. Sunderland?

Liverpool will be without Dominik Szoboszlai for Wednesday's trip to face Sunderland in the Premier League.

Szoboszlai, who has been perhaps Liverpool's most consistent performer this season, will be serving a one-match ban after picking up a red card in a 2-1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, Feb. 8.

The Hungary international gave Liverpool the lead in the 74th minute with a sensational free kick, but the visitors struck back with goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland to take the lead in stoppage time.

With Liverpool desperately chasing an equalizer deep into stoppage time, Szoboszlai picked up his red card in a bizarre sequence.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson went up the pitch for a free kick, leaving his net open. After Man City cleared, Rayan Cherki ended up with the ball at midfield and hit a side-footed effort that was trickling toward goal.

Szoboszlai and Haaland went on a footrace after the ball, with the former pulling back the latter and then vice versa. As both players fell to the ground, the ball rolled into the empty net.

Referee Craig Pawson went to the VAR monitor, ultimately deciding to disallow the goal and show a red card to Szoboszlai for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO) prior to the ball going in.

Have you ever seen a match end like this?! 🫨 @LFC @ManCity pic.twitter.com/xpDCeFtDKS

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 8, 2026

Because the red card was for tactical reasons instead of violent conduct, Szoboszlai will only be suspended one match instead of three.

It will be the second suspension of the season for Szoboszlai, who missed a 2-1 win over Wolves in December due to yellow card accumulation.

The 25-year-old's absence will be a blow for a Liverpool side that is just aiming for a top-four finish one season after winning the Premier League title.

Arne Slot's side entered the midweek slate of fixtures in sixth place, five points back of a top-four position.

Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Nov. 1. The victory ended a four-game losing streak in Premier League games for the defending champions.

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Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Nov. 1. The victory ended a four-game losing streak in Premier League games for the defending champions.

">Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Nov. 1. The victory ended a four-game losing streak in Premier League games for the defending champions.

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Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri (right) and Burnley's Florentino Luis battle for possession of the ball at Turf Moor. Arsenal won the Nov. 1 match, 2-0, to stay six points above Manchester City atop the Premier League table.

">Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri (right) and Burnley's Florentino Luis battle for possession of the ball at Turf Moor. Arsenal won the Nov. 1 match, 2-0, to stay six points above Manchester City atop the Premier League table.

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Erling Haaland of Manchester City competes for a header whilst under pressure from Sepp van den Berg and Kristoffer Ajer of Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025. Man City won the match, 1-0.

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Erling Haaland of Manchester City competes for a header whilst under pressure from Sepp van den Berg and Kristoffer Ajer of Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025. Man City won the match, 1-0.

">Erling Haaland of Manchester City competes for a header whilst under pressure from Sepp van den Berg and Kristoffer Ajer of Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025. Man City won the match, 1-0.

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1 / 38Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2025-26 seasonLeandro Trossard scores Arsenal's first goal in a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on Nov. 23.

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