While the red card was the key moment in the game, Liverpool’s defensive frailties were again exposed as City found it far too easy to open up their back line.
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Gabriel Jesus extended the hosts’ advantage either side of the break before substitute Leroy Sane rounded off the scoring with a late double as City inflicted Liverpool’s first defeat of the season – their biggest under Jurgen Klopp in all competitions.
“It is unlucky, an accident”.
The Reds have a great record against sides in last season’s top seven, losing just one of their last 22 games.
Ederson, who was lying prostrate for a good seven minutes or so, was stretchered off and while sources said the young Brazilian only suffered superficial cuts to his face, Mane’s high challenge was certainly reckless and referee John Moss was spot-on in sending him off. With Liverpool chasing the game their player, Mane, collided with the City goalkeeper in a horrific way and subsequently saw red.
Klopp’s City counterpart Pep Guardiola agreed the complexion and balance of the game had been transformed by the red card.
And if there’s any doubt whatsoever you go for a yellow card and not a red.
Klopp told Sky Sports that: “We had all we needed at 11v11”.
And Mane took to Instagram to write: “I hope and wish Ederson a quick recovery”.
“We should have scored”.
As the 15-minute mark approached, Fernandinho fired in a 30-yard effort that Mignolet tipped away, and then Firmino got a touch on a Jordan Henderson ball into the area but Ederson saved. “I was still positive (but) with one man down against City, it is really not the best place to be”, he said.
For a long time, City were unable to beat Liverpool but we did it today.
Most people will overlook that because of the drama surrounding the Mane sending off, but there will be other days when things aren’t going in Liverpool’s favour and they will need to find a way of getting a result. “Obviously, we deserved to win”. The player returned from the global break in positive spirits as he scored Egypt’s victor against Uganda on Tuesday. It was hard for the boys but I don’t look for excuses.
“If the leg is not where it is, it is a foul from the goalie. What would have happened if we had played 11 against 11?”
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Premier League rules dictate that we can not show you footage of the exchange but we have taken the liberty of providing screenshots.
