EPL 2017/18: Manchester City 5-0 Liverpool, 5 Talking Points

#1 Mane’s Red Card

Sadio Mane's red card: Was the correct decision made?

Sadio Mane has so far been Liverpool’s go to man this season and it was the same way today until all of a sudden, it was not. 37 odd minutes into the half, the Senegalese was deep into the Manchester City half chasing a long ball over the heads of the City defence when instead of the football, the Liverpool forward’s right boot caught City’s Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson flush on the chin.

Referee John Moss reached right into his pocket and produced the dreaded right pocket. Now the referee here clearly followed the current footballing precedent which would dictate a straight red to Mane for dangerous play.

However, here’s the problem with it: both Mane and Ederson went for the ball; both had their eyes entirely on the ball until the very end. Mane could sense an opening for a possible goal, his team at the moment trailing by a goal to nil and hence his reaching for the ball seemed justified.

It was clear that there was absolutely no malicious intent in Sadio Mane’s challenge. It is also true, however, that he got the player rather than the ball and that Ederson at that moment didn’t seem as if he came off too well from the challenge. According to the current footballing law, it is a straight red but whether it should be one morally is entirely up for debate.

Note: Early into the second half it was announced that Ederson is fine except for a few cuts which was welcome news.