Marc Guehi: No Red Card - Premier League Explanation

A controversial decision involving Marc Guehi during a match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield has sparked debate, with Liverpool supporters believing Guehi should have been sent off with a red card. The incident occurred in the 68th minute when Guehi fouled Mohamed Salah just outside the penalty area.

The Incident at Anfield

Liverpool felt Guehi’s challenge on Salah warranted a red card, as the foul appeared to impede Salah’s run into the right channel. Referee Craig Pawson initially awarded a free-kick and, after review, VAR upheld the on-field decision, confirming the contact occurred outside the 18-yard box and did not meet the threshold for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Did You Know? The match took place on February 8, 2026, with updates provided throughout the game.

Despite the protests, Gary Neville, providing commentary, agreed with the officials’ decision, stating that the foul did not constitute the denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. Neville pointed out that even if Salah had remained on his feet, a covering defender, Dias, was positioned to intervene.

VAR Confirmation

The Premier League subsequently released a statement confirming the VAR review supported the original call. The league stated the challenge by Guehi was outside the penalty area and did not meet the criteria for a denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) due to the presence of a defending player.

Expert Insight: The reliance on VAR to review potential red card offenses highlights the increased scrutiny placed on officiating in high-stakes matches. The interpretation of “denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity” remains a key point of contention, and the consistency of these decisions is crucial for maintaining fairness and trust in the game.

Following the non-call, Liverpool took the lead in the 74th minute with a free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai. However, Manchester City responded in the 84th minute with a goal from Bernardo Silva, assisted by Erling Haaland. City ultimately secured a 2-1 victory after Haaland converted a penalty awarded for a foul by Alisson on Matheus Nunes.

Late in the match, Szoboszlai himself received a red card for a foul on Haaland, though a subsequent goal by Rayan Cherki was disallowed. This did not affect the final result, with Manchester City winning the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the specific nature of Marc Guehi’s foul on Mohamed Salah?

Guehi appeared to pull Salah back as the Liverpool forward was running inside the right channel, just outside the penalty area. The referee initially called a free-kick.

What was the outcome of the VAR review regarding Guehi’s challenge?

VAR confirmed the referee’s decision, determining the foul occurred outside the penalty area and did not meet the threshold for a red card as there was a covering defender.

Who scored the goals in the Liverpool vs. Manchester City match?

Dominik Szoboszlai scored for Liverpool, while Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland (from a penalty) scored for Manchester City.

How will decisions like these continue to shape the dynamics of Premier League matches going forward?

Marc Guehi: No Red Card – Premier League Explanation