“Daylight Robbery”: Dominik Szoboszlai Explodes Over Controversial Decisions in Fulham Draw
LONDON – In a season already marred by VAR inconsistencies, Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday has ignited a firestorm of controversy. While manager Arne Slot was busy questioning his defense, Hungarian midfield star Dominik Szoboszlai turned his sights on the match officials, delivering a scathing review of the officiating that he claims cost the Reds a vital win.
Leaving the pitch visibly incensed after Harrison Reed’s 97th-minute equalizer, Szoboszlai broke his silence to reporters in the mixed zone with a quote that is already trending across social media.
> “I have seen many things in football, but what the officials did to us today is a daylight robbery,” Szoboszlai allegedly stated. “We fight for 90 minutes, we earn our goals, and then decisions are made that nobody on the pitch understands. It’s not just a point lost; it’s the way it was taken.”
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The “Robbery” Breakdown: Two Flashpoints
The “daylight robbery” Szoboszlai refers to likely stems from two massive VAR calls that bookended the match, leaving both sides feeling aggrieved but Liverpool feeling the sting of the final result.
1. The Harry Wilson Opener (17’)
Fulham took the lead through former Liverpool man Harry Wilson. The assistant referee originally flagged for offside, but a lengthy VAR check overturned the call, claiming Van Dijk’s trailing heel played Wilson onside. Szoboszlai and the Liverpool midfield were adamant there was a foul in the build-up that went ignored.
2. The Wirtz Goal Confusion (57’)
In a bizarre reversal of fortunes, Florian Wirtz equalized for Liverpool after he was initially ruled offside. The VAR lines eventually went in Liverpool’s favor, but the delay was so long—nearly four minutes—that it sapped the game’s momentum. Fulham manager Marco Silva called the decision “clear offside,” while Szoboszlai argued that the inconsistent application of the technology throughout the game was “killing the sport.”
Match Impact: Points Dropped at the Death
Despite the officiating drama, Liverpool looked to have stolen the points when Cody Gakpo found the net in the 94th minute. However, the added time—extended largely due to the VAR delays Szoboszlai criticized—allowed Harrison Reed to fire home his “Goal of the Season” contender in the 7th minute of stoppage time.
| Key Event | Minute | Decision | Impact |
|—|—|—|—|
| Harry Wilson Goal | 17′ | VAR Overturn (Onside) | Fulham 1-0 Liverpool |
| Florian Wirtz Goal | 57′ | VAR Overturn (Onside) | Liverpool 1-1 Fulham |
| Cody Gakpo Goal | 94′ | Goal Given | Liverpool 2-1 Fulham |
| Harrison Reed Goal | 97′ | Goal Given | Full Time: 2-2 |
A Growing Frustration
Szoboszlai’s “robbery” comment reflects a growing tension within the Liverpool camp. With the Reds now 14 points behind Arsenal, the margin for error has vanished. The Hungarian’s outburst signals a squad that feels the world is against them as they navigate a grueling January schedule without Mo Salah (AFCON) and the injured Alexander Isak.
While the FA may look into Szoboszlai’s comments regarding the officials, the immediate focus for Liverpool must turn to their next fixture: a daunting trip to the Emirates to face the league leaders.
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