Liverpool News: Intent has nothing to do with Sadio Mane red card, Graham Poll

Mane was dismissed after a collision with the keeper midway through the first half  of City’s 5-0 demolition of the Reds.

Pundits and former players lined up to defend Mane, claiming his high challenge was not intentional.

But former red Poll spelled out the rule of the law yesterday afternoon, explaining exactly why Jon Moss was right to send the Liverpool player off.

“From a referee's point of view you see how black and white it is in that situation,” he said on BT Sport.

“You know how high Mane's foot is.

“You know he's caught the goalkeeper in the face and so it's a very very straightforward decision for the referee.

“Fifteen years ago it wouldn't have been because it used to be that it had to be intentional. But now that's taken away.

“You've made the intent by leaving your foot that high and so you have to live with the consequences.

“Apart from handball, any other offence in terms of intent has been taken out.

“It's actually the offence you do, rather than what you mean to do.