UK Edition
Sadio Mane sees red for boot to Ederson's face as Manchester City put five past 10-man Liverpool
Goalscorers have been chasing down tempting high-bouncing throughballs since the professional game was played on mud by men who went home on the tram, but all that sepia-tinted, in-my-day stuff does not mean that in 2017 a striker stretching for the ball is permitted to kick a goalkeeper in the head.
Sadio Mane went off in pursuit of Joel Matip’s long pass on 37 minutes with honest intentions, and his eyes were looking nowhere but at a ball that his speed and athleticism took him within a whisker of controlling. That does not, however, absolve him of the responsibility for the safety of the advancing Ederson Moraes who took Mane’s right boot to the side of his face and looked in trouble even before he got his hands out to break his fall.
Another red card that divided opinion and demonstrated that there are still so many in football who see the game on the terms that they remember it, or once played it. Which is fine for the post-match debate but when it comes to the difficult real-time decisions in the heat of the moment, all the referee can do is interpret the law as it is today and Jonathan Moss was correct to dismiss Mane.
The boot of the Liverpool striker was around chest height when it connected with Ederson’s head, and the goalkeeper’s bravery in going for the ball was clear to see. He was on the ground for seven minutes before being carried off on the stretcher they constructed around him. By then the referee Moss had already lifted the red card to Mane who after that had, at different times, sat down on the turf or wandered around the prone goalkeeper, not knowing quite what to do.
On Twitter, David James, the former Liverpool and Manchester City goalkeeper, praised Ederson’s bravery and Moss’ decision. His old team-mate Robbie Fowler, that prolific poacher of similar chances who also played at both clubs, simply said, “The game has gone”. The game has certainly gone down a certain route, and that is one in which a boot as high as Mane’s that connects with a goalkeeper “endangers the safety of an opponent” and is, by the letter of the law, a red card.
Mane is not refereed according to the rules that existed 50 years ago, or even those in Fowler’s day. He is subject to those of the current-day game, just as Nani, then at Manchester United, was when he raised a boot and kicked Alvaro Arbeloa in the ribs against Real Madrid in 2013 in what turned out to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s last ever European tie. That red card also distorted a beautifully-poised game but then it is not the referee’s role to maximise the entertainment.
The managers did not waste too much time afterwards querying the decision and the harder questions for Jurgen Klopp were how his side disintegrated in the second half to make this the equal of the greatest margin of defeat in his managerial career. City, one goal up when Mane was dismissed, hunted the away team down with some ruthlessness and gradually they all piled in – two each for Gabriel Jesus and the substitute Leroy Sane after Sergio Aguero’s first.
Ederson was back in the stadium by the end of the match and not immediately diagnosed with concussion. In the immediate aftermath he was taken to the medical institute at City’s training ground where he was scanned for a jaw and cheek fracture and had stitches for what was described as a long cut to his face. Mane, Klopp said, was “shocked about the situation and, I’m sure, about the decision”.
Kevin De Bruyne was the game’s outstanding performer, much of what he did perfectly executed and the epitome of City’s general capacity to sniff out weakness in their opponents. His pass made the first for Aguero, a threaded throughball taken around Simon Mignolet by the Argentine striker. By the end it was brutal, and Pep Guardiola subtly pointed out that with ten men at Goodison Park last month, his own team had almost won the game.
Klopp conceded that his side were “maximum 60 per cent” in the first half although in Mane they had shown serious, if sporadic, promise. He had turned Danilo beautifully to play in Mohamed Salah who should have down so much better with his shot from the left channel. The Senegal striker had also drawn Fernandinho into a booking with his first properly penetrative run of the day. Klopp said that he was sure he could change the situation at half-time, and then came the red card.
Both sides were at an exceptionally high level, but both had their weaknesses. It was Nicolas Otamendi for City, hopelessly off the pace when the ball was played in behind him for Salah to run onto and then not much better when the Egyptian stood him up and dribbled past.
Mane’s dismissal and the long period of treatment for Ederson scrambled the game. City came out of it more composed and concentrated on attacking the right side of Liverpool’s defence where they pressured Trent Alexander-Arnold at full-back. The 18-year-old looked good going forward but he came under pressure in the opposite direction, and in the sixth minute of time added on for Ederson’s injury, De Bruyne robbed the teenager. His cross was headed in by Gabriel Jesus.
There was no doubt that City smelled blood. It was hard to read exactly Klopp’s intentions in the second half when he switched to a three-man defence, replacing Salah with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, making his debut in central midfield. City scored their third with a ball through the middle from Fernandinho to Aguero who squared it to Jesus for his second.
The second half was not a game in the way that the first had been but it did demonstrate that this City team are capable of when the lead is theirs. De Bruyne was at the heart of it all, his forward ball to the substitute Leroy Sane, going wide to Benjamin Mendy before the German winger slotted in the cross. In injury-time at the end of the game, Sane struck the best of the lot, a curling left foot shot past Mignolet’s outstretched hand.
By then Klopp had substituted Roberto Firmino and Wijnaldum. Perhaps City would have won this match even if Mane had stayed on the pitch and his dismissal was unquestionably the turning point, but it was the right decision too – and that is what matters most.
Kevin De Bruyne
On Liverpool "We knew it was going to be an intensive game and they are really strong offensively. After 20 mins we took a little bit of control.
On the Ederson/Mane incident: If he doesn’t have injuries, it’s probably a yellow.
On his assist for Aguero's goal: "You just see a little gap and try to play in between [the defenders] because they play a high line."
Leroy Sane
On the competition for places: "We have a very good team and top players, so every day it is hard to play in the first XI and I wanted to use my chance today.
On his second goal: "It was a good goal and Kun [Aguero] played a good ball to me and he wanted it back but I saw the space to shoot."
FULL-TIME. Manchester City 5 - 0 Liverpool
Well, I did think we would get goals and we did.
The news is that Ederson is back at the ground and not seriously injured, which is great news.
It's likely that most of the post-match discussion will be all about the red card, but you can't ignore the fact that City did the job that was needed and there were some good individual performances. De Bruyne, Jesus and Stones were all impressive. Aguero always is.
Pep's men are now top on ten points ahead of the rest of the weekend's games, while Liverpool drop to fifth after their first league defeat of the season.
86 mins
Oxlade-Chamberlain gets down the right, but is tackled to give the visitors a corner. Their possession doesn't last long though as City just smother them, before Oxlade-Chamberlain makes a foul to give City a free-kick.
Sane takes out Moreno and the ball to get a stern talking to, from the ref.
Henderson runs onto a Solanke ball into the box but Bravo gets down well to smother.
82 mins
City looking for number five as a visibly annoyed Can takes out Aguero to concede a free-kick.
De Bruyne takes it but it's cleared, as far as the City back line.
Solanke looks lively when he gets the ball but he has little support and it's easy for the home players to halt any attempts to attack.
69 mins
It looks like Mangala may be coming on to replace Otamendi who is still struggling.
Liverpool win a free kick after Mendy nudges Milner off the ball. Alexander-Arnold takes and it's headed out, Henderson plays it back towards goal but Otamendi kicks it away.
It's his last action of the game as Mangala comes on.
66 mins
De Bruyne sends a ball into row zed after Sane sends a cross from the far corner into the box. Disappointing from the Belgian player who has been support while creating fro others today.
Liverpool gets into City's half and Oxlade-Chamberlain attempts to play in Alexander-Arnold on the wing but the youngster if offside.
Solanke comes on for Firmino. Can he change Liverpool's fortunes?
63 mins
Moreno sends the ball out as Walker heads for the box and every City player seems to be moving into attack mode this half.
Guardiola is looking a lot calmer in his technical area than he did in the first ten minutes and you have to wonder what could've happened with all 22 men on the pitch.
Henderson sends a long ball into the City half for Firmino to chase but Stones is there to regain City's possession.
50 mins
City on the attack as they hold onto the ball in midfield. Liverpool will have to be far more composed than they were in the first-half as they attempt to get back into the game.
Firmino gets the ball and heads for the City goal but he doesn't get very far with two defenders either side of him. Stones concedes a corner after Firmino starts the move and plays a one-two with Can.
Carragher on the red
The former Reds defender said on Sky Sports: “It’s a red card. I didn’t think it was initially, I needed a lot of replays, but the boot in face says it all.
"Initially, I thought Mane made contact with Ederson’s chest but he didn’t. Yes, Mane’s eyes were on the ball but it doesn’t matter, he still endangered an opponent.”
SECOND-HALF
We are back underway at the Etihad. We have a debut for Oxlade-Chamberlain who replaces Salah. It looks like the visitors will now have a back three, with Alexander-Arnold and Moreno as wing-backs.
Otamendi is now on the other side of the pitch, but based on that first-half the damage may have already been don to his confidence.
The red card incident
Mane is clearly going for the ball but he catches Ederson in the head so you can understand the dismissal.
Sadly Ederson will play no more part in the game. We hope it is not as serious as it looks as the medics get ready to take him off the pitch. Claudio Bravo will replace him.
RED CARD! Mane is off and Liverpool are down to ten
Ederson runs out of his goal to head a cross headed for Mane. The Liverpool man goes with his foot and they collide with replays showing that the goalkeeper was caught in the face.
The home goalkeeper is down receiving treatment. On first glance it looks like Mane was just going for the ball.
AGUEROOOOOOOOO!
Fernandinho wins an aerial challenge with Mane and passes to De Bruyne who plays the perfect through ball in between the two visiting defenders, to the striker who simply slots home after rounding Mignolet.
Liverpool may rue their sloppy decision making if they are unable to get a result today.
20 mins
Can slips as he takes a shot after evading the City midfield but it's easy for Ederson to collect. The home midfield aren't doing enough to help a defense that is opening far too easily at the moments.
The home side have possesion as Walker tries to send a ball to the edge of the box for Aguero, but the striker is being marshalled by Matip and Klavan.
Alexander-Arnold gives away a silly foul on the edge of the box after pulling De Bruyne's shirt. Liverpool clear the danger after the third attempt.
16 mins
Salah bombs down the right and he is definitely the danger man for the visitors, unluckily for him Stones comes across to support Otamendi who is looking imncreasingly nervous.
All Liverpool at the moment as the visitors carve up what is now a back five. Henderson sends a cross to the far post for Firmino but the forward can't knock it back across goal.
Guardiola is already pacing the touchline.
13 mins
Alexander-Arnold's nerves get the better of him with Aguero right behind him and he send the ball out, and well wide of his keeper, for a corner. D.Silva wants to take it quickly but no one else is ready and when they do it's another unused opportunity.
Fernandinho shoots from outside the box and Mignolet gets his fingers to it to send it past his right-hand post.
6 mins
Loks of action in the middle of the park and the game may come down to who can control the ball at crucial time.
And Otamendi starts that slippery slope. Salah races down the wing and nutmegs the defender, who brings him down on the edge of the box.
He gets a yellow for his troubles but the visitors can't make good use of the free-kick and City are back on the attack.
3 mins
Liverpool looking confident and Moreno has a shot from the edge of the box but it's blocked and the visitors get their first corner. Milner - who is being booed by the home fans - can only send it into Ederson's hands at the near post.
City are on the attack and Mane tries but fails to challenge Walker, giving City a free-kick about 15 yards outside the box. Jesus gets his head to de Bruyne's ball but it's wide for a Liverpool goal-kick.
A reminder of the teams
Man City: Ederson, Danilo, Stones, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Walker, De Bruyne, Silva, Mendy, Aguero, Gabriel Jesus. Subs: Bravo, Gundogan, Mangala, Delph, Sane, Bernardo Silva, Foden.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane. Subs: Karius, Lovren, Milner, Gomez, Sturridge, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke.
20 minutes to go
Kick-off is approaching so this might be a good time to go and sort those snacks out and get yourself comfortable.
I suspect we will have some goals today from two teams who like to attack. Both have won two and drawn one of their first three league games, although the visitors have scored eight to the homes side's three goals.
Formations
City start with three at the back as they line-up in a 3-1-4-2. Liverpool line-up 4-3-3 with that dangerous front three of Mane, Salah and Firmino.
It will be interesting to see how Danilo, Stones and Otamendi cope with a trio who have seven goals already this season, from three games.
Fernandinho starts ahead of the defense and he'll need to support his back three if they are to nullify those dangerous forwards.
The Ox
The former Arsenal man has been talking about his £35m move to Merseyside as he starts on the bench at the Etihad.
"I felt like now was the right time to take myself out of my comfort zone and push myself and go and see what I can really achieve.
"It’s been a really tough decision. I had so many great years at Arsenal - I grew to love the club, my teammates and manager. But I am honoured to have come to a club like this."
Changes
Both teams have made three changes with Walker, Stones and Aguero coming in for Kompany, Sterling and B.Silva. Sterling is suspended after his red against Bournemouth, while the captain has suffered a calf injury.
For Liverpool the trio of Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold and Klaven for Karius, Gomez and Lovren.
TEAM NEWS
Man City: Ederson, Danilo, Stones, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Walker, De Bruyne, Silva, Mendy, Aguero, Gabriel Jesus.
Subs: Bravo, Gundogan, Mangala, Delph, Sane, Bernardo Silva, Foden.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Subs: Karius, Lovren, Milner, Gomez, Sturridge, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke.
Referee: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire)
Man City vs Liverpool - all you need to know
What is it?
It's Saturday's big game - Manchester City vs Liverpool, 4th vs 2nd, Pep Guardiola vs Jurgen Klopp. Oh, and it's at The Etihad.
When is it?
This Saturday, September 9.
What time is kick-off?
It's the early game, so a 12.30pm start.
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 11.30am. Or you can catch up with all the highlights on Match of the Day on BBC 1 at 10.30pm. Or, if you don't have Sky and can't wait until Saturday evening for MotD, you can follow all the live action with us from 11am.
What does the PL table look like?
What is the team news?
Liverpool
Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho will not be in the squad to face Manchester City as he is not match-fit.
A back injury meant the Brazil international's first competitive action of the season was 47 minutes in two games for his country over the last week and Klopp does not think he is ready, but deadline-day signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be included.
Right-back Nathaniel Clyne is set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a back injury while Adam Lallana (thigh) is still working on his recovery.
Provisional squad: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Can, Salah, Firmino, Mane, Karius, Gomez, Klavan, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Grujic, Sturridge, Solanke.
Manchester City
City will be without captain Vincent Kompany after he suffered a calf injury on international duty with Belgium.
Former Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling is suspended but right-back Kyle Walker is available again after his one-match ban.
Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is back in contention after returning to full training following his long-term knee injury.
Provisional squad: Ederson, Bravo, Walker, Danilo, Mendy, Otamendi, Stones, Adarabioyo, Mangala, Toure, Delph, Gundogan, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, D Silva, B Silva, Sane, Diaz, Foden, Aguero, Jesus.
What are they saying?
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on Philippe Coutinho:
"We have got all the numbers (on Coutinho) from the Brazilian FA - the training, the intensity of the training, stuff like that, and it was all okay. And he played twice - I think about 15 or 20 minutes.
"He could have played 15, 20 minutes again in the City game, maybe longer, but I think really it makes sense (to leave him out).
"He agreed completely, so it was not as if he said 'no, I don't need training, I want to play'. It was a good conversation."
What are the odds?
Man City to win 5/6
Draw 3/1
Liverpool to win 3/1
What's our prediction?
A serious early test of title credentials for both teams. They have already demonstrated their brilliance in attack. This is a day for both to prove they can defend properly. Little wonder many are predicting a high-scoring game. For Philippe Coutinho – expected to be on the bench – it is the first shot at redemption after his transfer request - Chris Bascombe
Prediction: Manchester City 3 Liverpool 3