'INCONSISTENCY'

Liverpool fury as Matt Ritchie escapes red for high lunge a day after Sadio Mane’s sending off at Manchester City

Gary Stonehouse

Published: 17:31, 10 Sep 2017
Updated: 6:56, 11 Sep 2017

LIVERPOOL fans were peeved on Sunday after Matt Ritchie escaped with just a yellow card for a high challenge on Swansea's Alfie Mawson.

The controversial moment arrived shortly after half time - and just 24 hours after Sadio Mane was sent-off for the Reds in similar circumstances against Manchester City.

Matt Ritchie was a lucky boy to escape with just a yellow card after this high lunge at Alfie MawsonCredit: Sky Sports

Sadio Mane was sent off for boot to face of Ederson, which forced stopper offCredit: AFP

Magpies winger Ritchie's right foot appeared to catch the England Under-21s international in the face after lunging through the air.

But luckily for the Scottish flanker he did not fully connect with the defender, with his opponent also indicating to the ref that he was fine.

However, Liverpool supporters were furious that only a yellow card was issued after the dismissal of their Senegal attacker at the Etihad.

And they were quick to vent their fury and bemusement on Twitter.

Liverpool fans were quick to point out the similarities between Ritchie and Mane's challengesCredit: Sky Sports

Matt Ritchie was quick to plead his innocence before he received a yellow cardCredit: Reuters

Here's some of the best reaction:

No consistency with #refs, #Mane red, #Ritchie yellow coz he didn't catch opponent, either they're both red cards or both yellow cards
— Rickyrich2020y (@RichyRichynwa) September 10, 2017

Wow! Totally inconsistent decision making! Mane sent off, Ritchie gets a yellow for EXACTLY the same challenge!
— Sharee Kitley (@StirkS85) September 10, 2017

Ritchie does exactly what Mane did, but gets a yellow. Almost as infuriating as City getting away with kicking Mane in the head yesterday.
— Short Lawyer Person (@ShortLawyer) September 10, 2017

Now then...I'm going Matt Ritchie should have seen red there. Only difference to Mane/Ederson is that Mawson gets out of the way#SWANEW
— Gaz Stephenson (@Gaz5tevo) September 10, 2017

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