Reds plea for Mane

half of the game against Liverpool on Saturday. The City man had eight minutes of treatment before he was taken off on a stretcher needing an oxygen mask.

The extent of the injury was revealed as Liverpool attempted to have Mane’s three-game ban for serious foul play reduced, claiming it is “excessive punishment”.

The striker (inset) was given a straight red card, but Liverpool appealed last night. They argue that Mane’s actions were totally without malice, and the injury was the result of an accident, and that the ban should reflect his intent to solely play the ball. If the panel decide the three-match suspension is too much, then they can reduce it to two matches or even one. A decision is expected before 6pm today.