Liverpool have not been near the Premier League title race since the opening weeks of the season, but they could yet have a say in how it ends.
Arsenal and Manchester City are locked in a tense battle at the top, with both sides having three games left at the time of writing. Arsenal sit two points clear before facing West Ham on Sunday evening, but the margin on goal difference is just as important.
The Gunners are only one goal better off than City. That means this season’s Premier League champions could be decided by a single finish, clearance or VAR call. That’s where Liverpool come in.
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Dominik Szoboszlai and Erling Haaland moment could end up shaping title race
City beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield in February, but it briefly looked like they had won 3-1 in one of the strangest finishes of the season.
With Alisson Becker upfield, Rayan Cherki sent the ball towards an empty Liverpool net from inside his own half. It crossed the line, but VAR then checked the earlier tussle between Dominik Szoboszlai and Erling Haaland.
The Liverpool midfielder had pulled Haaland back, Haaland had also tugged him, and referee Craig Pawson eventually ruled that Szoboszlai had denied a goalscoring opportunity. The goal was wiped off, City were given a free-kick instead, and the Hungarian was sent off.
At the time, it felt bizarre. Even Haaland and Pep Guardiola questioned why the goal was not simply allowed to stand, while Gary Neville argued that VAR had taken a great moment away from the game.
Now, three months later, that decision looks even bigger.
Had Cherki’s goal counted, City would have one more goal on their goal difference. As things stand, that could be the difference between catching the leaders and falling short.
With just three weeks to go, that controversial Liverpool moment could yet help Arsenal win a first Premier League title since 2004.
- READ MORE: How Liverpool’s draw with Chelsea proved just how far removed Reds are from Jurgen Klopp glory days
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