Sadio Mane could have ‘easily avoided’ booting Manchester City keeper Ederson in the face, insists Claudio Bravo
Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson caught a boot to the face from Sadio Mane during Man City's win against Liverpool on Saturday
CLAUDIO BRAVO pointed the finger at Sadio Mane over the horror clash with Ederson Moraes.
And Bravo — who replaced the stricken Ederson late in the first half — reckons the Senegalese could easily have pulled his foot away.
The former Barcelona keeper said: “These things are avoidable. You can easily avoid putting your foot in somebody’s face so you don’t do them damage.
“At first I thought he hit him in the hip but then I saw clearly he got him in the face.”
Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet was sure there was no intent from Mane.
Yet he praised the bravery of his opposite number for making the aerial challenge outside his area.
The Belgian said: “I’ve had it before when you have to jump into people’s feet — and you have to be brave.
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“It’s always dangerous. As a keeper, you can’t really think about what might happen — he just thought about the ball and went for it.”
City are confident there is no break to Ederson’s cheekbone but had him closely watched yesterday.
Pep Guardiola will make a late decision on whether his £34.9million ace can play against Feyenoord in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Bravo, who endured a nightmare first season at the Etihad, is on standby and insisted: “I’m calm.”