Video: Lazar Markovic gets sent off as Liverpool exit UEFA Champions League

Lazar Markovic got a red card

Liverpool Lazar Markovic got sent off in a bizarre incident as Liverpool exited the UEFA Champions League after a 1-1 draw against Basel at Anfield. The club had qualified for the competition after 5 years and will now play in the knock-out stage of the Europa League. The 20-year-old, who came on at the start of the second half was lively and helped the home side pose some much-needed threat upfront until the 61st minute.

Getting clear of opposition player Behrang Safari, the Serbian looked back and swayed a hand in his direction. The contact appeared to be minimal but the intent was enough for referee Bjorn Kuipers to send the player off. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was visibly upset about the decision and made his displeasure known.

'I thought it was an awful decision,' Rodgers said. 'I thought the referee was disappointing on the evening to say the least.

'Markovic came on and was bright, made a difference to the team, he was dynamic.

'He had just taken a touch away, he's obviously got his arm up, but if that's a sending-off you are going to have two or three sendings-off every single game. It was a really, really poor decision.

'I'm not even sure whether the referees have seen it, but I think he's seen the player hold his face and lie down, but there was no way that was a sending-off.'

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