Future Liverpool star Naby Keita sees red for identical high-boot challenge to Sadio Mane

Naby Keita walks off after receiving a red card
Naby Keita walks off after receiving a red card Credit: AFP

It seems high boots to the face are punished in Germany too after Naby Keita, who will ironically be moving to Liverpool next season, was shown red for his studs making contact with Christoph Kramer's head.

With just seven minutes remaining in the Bundesliga clash between RB Leipzig and Borussia Moenchengladbach - the score finished 2-2 - Keita was shown a straight red for this challenge:

And strangely enough, it is almost identical to the flying kick Sadio Mane was sent off for against Man City that has caused such a divide in opinion.

Former players such as Gary Neville and Gary Linker criticised referee Jon Moss for sending off Mane, suggesting that because the player's eyes were on the ball the boot to the face was accidental and so merited no more than a yellow.

Mane's challenge, however, resulted in City goalkeeper Ederson requiring stitches in his face.

Sadio Mane's boot struck Ederson in the face
Sadio Mane's boot struck Ederson in the face Credit: EPA

With Keita set to join Jurgen Klopp's side next season for £48 million, the joke now starting to do the rounds is that the Guinea international should fit right in.

License this content