Sadio Mane red card: Liverpool star should not have been sent off - Gary Neville

LIVERPOOL star Sadio Mane should NOT have been sent off in the defeat to Manchester City today, according to Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.

Sadio Mane red card tackleSKY SPORTS

Sadio Mane red card: The Liverpool star should not have been sent off, says Gary Neville

Referee Jonathan Moss gave Mane a straight red card for a high tackle on Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson in the 38th minute of the game at the Etihad.

After a couple of seconds, Moss gave the forward his marching orders, with Ederson flat out on the floor.

The summer signing from Benfica was eventually carried off after eight minutes of treatment.

Neville says Mane was attempting to play the ball and Moss had "ruined the game" with the decision.

Sorry Jon Moss, you’ve just ruined the game there

Garry Neville on Sadio Mane red card vs Man City

“Oh no. It won’t look pretty on the replays because he did go for the ball and I think he did follow through and the keeper got their first," Neville said on Sky Sports.

"But I’m bemused. It won’t look good I think in the replay but in real time I don’t think anybody in the stadium felt that it wasn’t a genuine attempt to play the ball.

"Look at Manchester City playing offside, the ball’s there. I don’t think that’s a red card, I genuinely don’t.

"However the goalkeeper ends up, the reward was so big, that is not a red card.

Steven Gerrard SINGS Sadio Mane's Liverpool chant

Sadio Mane red cardSKY SPORTS

Sadio Mane red card: The Senegalese forward was given a straight red for the tackle on Ederson

"He’s got a great view of it, you can see the referee in the middle of the picture.

"His eyes are on the ball, his eyes are on the ball. It is not a red card for me.

"The reward is so big. Sorry Jon Moss, you’ve just ruined the game there."

Liverpool were trailing 1-0 at the time thanks to a Sergio Aguero goal.

A brace apiece from Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane sealed an emphatic 5-0 win for the hosts.

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