Liverpool’s Premier League encounter against Arsenal certainly started in quite the fiery manner, with Sadio Mane appearing to elbow Gunners ace Kieran Tierney in just the second minute of the tie.
Mane charged his arm outward in a contest with the versatile defender for a loose ball, with replays actually showing that the winger’s forearm and fist smashed into Tierney’s face.
The referee surprisingly didn’t opt to use VAR to review the incident and instead let Mane off with a booking, it’s pretty hard to ascertain whether this was intentional or not.
At the end of the day, Mane did decide to use his arm in an attempt to shield Tierney away from the ball, which is why many football fans believe that the forward should’ve been sent off.
Could Sadio Mane have been shown a red card for this? ?
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Here’s how some football fans reacted to the incident:
Blatant red. Where was the VAR check on that one?
— Baz (@pacey1984) September 28, 2020
He should but because it’s Liverpool they didn’t
— Ball ? (@AFCBall14) September 28, 2020
If it’s a Liverpool or Man united player then no , any other club then it’s a clear as day red
— Matt (@rnattF) September 28, 2020
He could have knocked him out and still wouldn’t have been sent off. Standard Liverpool
— Jamie Halpin (@JamieHalpin10) September 28, 2020
If David Luiz had done that he’d have been off
— Chris Webb (@chriswebb007) September 28, 2020
Should have been a red. Regardless of where the contact was he deliberately moved away from the direction of the ball and raised his elbow into the player before going for the ball. It’s all about intent and the intent was to hit the player first.
— Christian Ashton (@christiansufc) September 28, 2020
Mane went on to equalise for the Reds, making this incident even more controversial.
Blatant red !! and Biased ref all game !! no surprise there then !! last season was the same Van dyke should have been sent off twice but ref either gave yellow or VAR never saw anything wrong !! It spoils the game of football this biased BS !! give Liverpool the league now no one can beat 12 players and VAR !!
blatant red card same as last season then !! VAR and REF play for Liverpool !! cant beat 12 men and VAR !! give Liverpool the title now !! pointless playing against 12 players AND VAR !!