The clash between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield was always going to be important with Arsenal leading the points table and City desperate for points to stay in the title hunt.
Pep Guardiola’s side needed a result and they got it in a dramatic manner. A 2-1 comeback that will be remembered as much for what happened off the pitch as on it.
City overturned Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning 74th minute free-kick with two late strikes: Bernardo Silva’s 84th-minute equalizer and Erling Haaland’s 90’+3′ penalty after Alisson fouled Matheus Nunes in a desperate Liverpool push forward.
But the real drama was yet to come.
Deep into stoppage time, with Alisson stranded upfield during Liverpool’s frantic hunt for an equalizer, Rayan Cherki, from near the halfway line, launched the ball into an empty net for City’s third goal.
Or so it seemed as VAR stepped in. The review scrutinised what happened just before Cherki’s shot went inside the goal.
Szoboszlai had tugged Haaland’s shirt as both sprinted toward the loose ball, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. Haaland had then obstructed Szoboszlai in response, but referee Craig Pawson ruled the initial foul took precedence.
Cherki’s goal was disallowed, a free-kick awarded to City, and Szoboszlai shown a straight red card.
On co-commentary for Sky Sports alongside Peter Drury, Gary Neville didn’t mince words. The former Manchester United captain was visibly frustrated, delivering a passionate on-air rant on VAR.
“That feels so unjust,” Neville declared. “I know there are rules, but there is the smell of the game—it’s completely gone.”
He continued: “You have just killed one of the moments of the season. Just let the goal be. This has ruined a golden moment, a complete killjoy decision that’s given ammunition to those who feel VAR is ruining football.”
But it was another Neville remark that ignited a social media firestorm, particularly among Arsenal fans, who are deep in a tense title battle with City.
After Szoboszlai’s red card was confirmed, Neville stated: “There’s 15 seconds in this game left, by the way, we’ve just been told”. Before quickly backtracking and claiming he’d simply “overheard it.”
Gary Neville: "There's 15 seconds in this game left by the way we've just been told"
— EMDG (@EmanDaGoon) February 8, 2026
He then tries to backtrack and say he's overheard it.
Sky Sports & VAR are compromised. pic.twitter.com/l2lOdqFHNU
On X, Arsenal fans flung accusations that Neville was effectively influencing the referees on giving minimum stoppage time to benefit City’s title push.
But the reality is more straightforward.
Sky Sports commentators routinely receive live feeds of referee and VAR communications for context during broadcasts.
Crucially, referees and VAR officials cannot hear the commentators, making any actual influence impossible.
Neville was simply relaying information he’d heard through his earpiece, standard broadcasting practice.
Still, in the pressure cooker of a title race, explanations rarely satisfy.
Arsenal fans have been asking: Why would Neville, a former Manchester United captain who historically despises City, seemingly favor them over Arsenal in the title race?
They point to what they see as a troubling pattern of commentary towards their club this season.
In January 2026, during Arsenal’s draw with Liverpool, Neville fiercely criticized Gabriel Martinelli for pushing injured Conor Bradley off the pitch to keep play moving.
He called it “disgraceful” and “so poor,” insisted an apology was needed, said he was “fuming,” and even questioned why Liverpool players didn’t “whack” Martinelli in retaliation. The outburst triggered over 570 Ofcom complaints, predominantly from Arsenal fans.
Neville has repeatedly slammed Arsenal’s title credentials, claiming they’ve “gone backwards” mentally in recent seasons.
He’s highlighted their lack of Premier League-winning experience of Mikel Arteta.
Neville has slammed Arsenal for over-celebrating wins while downplaying their performances, and taken pointed digs at Arteta’s influence on fan perceptions and complaints about officiating.
For Arsenal supporters, Gary Neville is certainly in the crosshairs this season.
