Mane incident an accident not a red card: Klopp

MANCHESTER (United Kingdom): Liverpool star Sadio Mane’s collision with Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson was an accident and did not merit a red card in their Premier League clash on Saturday, the Senegal forward’s manager Jurgen Klopp said.

Mane was sent off by referee Jon Moss late in the first-half -with Liverpool trailing 1-0 -- after Ederson was left prone on the ground as both went for the ball outside the area.

Ederson required several minutes attention before being stretchered off in a neck brace but appeared in the stand towards the end of the encounter when City had ruthlessly exploited their one man advantage to win 5-0.

“The decisive decision in the whole game was the red card,” Klopp told Sky Sports.

“I don’t think it was a red card, Sadio didn’t see the goalkeeper.

“It’s unlucky, an accident. The keeper comes out. You want to go for the ball. I hope people see it for what it is.”

Klopp, whose side went into the game unbeaten in their three previous games and having beaten Arsenal 4-0 last time out, said he had bitten his tongue so as not to also be sent to the stands.

“The referee was close to sending me to the stands so I had no power,” said the 50-year-old German.

“I said to the fourth official that I didn’t think it was a red card.

“The foot was not that high, the goalkeeper came out to head the ball.

“Sadio feels very bad about it. It’s hard for him.” - AFP