Sadio Mane’s three-game ban has been upheld (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool have failed with their appeal over Sadio Mane’s red card at the weekend in the 5-0 defeat to Manchester City.

The Senegal international will now miss three games after receiving a straight red card at the Etihad Stadium following a high foot challenge on City goalkeeper Ederson.

The Portuguese shot-stopper had to leave the pitch with a cheek injury, with pictures since then showing the full extent of the damage done by Mane’s challenge.

Liverpool had started that game brightly before a big decision from Jon Moss left them with ten men against a rampant City side, who took full advantage by adding a further four goals to their 1-0 lead.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BY1KynIl2w5/?hl=en&taken-by=sadiomaneofficiel

The Merseyside giants had been understandably keen to see the ban reduced as they and many others felt there was a case for saying Moss’ decision was harsh.

Mane didn’t appear to show malicious intent with the challenge, but the laws of the game state that the referee made the right call on the day.

Law 12 of the Football Association’s laws of the game clearly states: ‘A player is guilty of serious foul play if he uses excessive force or brutality against an opponent when challenging for the ball when it is in play. A tackle that endangers the safety of an opponent must be sanctioned as serious foul play.’

Mane, 25, was sent off for this challenge on Ederson on Saturday (Picture: Getty)
Mane has since apologised, but cannot escape a ban after his straight red card (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool 2017/18 Fixtures

Brighton (H) - Sun May 13
Real Madrid (N) - Champions League -Sat May 26

This is listed as one of seven offences worthy of a red card, and Liverpool will now have to accept doing without one of their most important players for three domestic matches.

The 25-year-old will be eligible to play in the Champions League this week, but must sit out this weekend’s home game against Burnley in the league, followed by two matches against Leicester City, first in the EFL Cup and then the league.

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