After a 5-0 defeat, something particularly notable would have had to have happened to seemingly render this humiliation to secondary importance. A goal behind in a tightly contested affair, Liverpool fell to pieces after the dismissal of Sadio Mané.
Incapable of combating Manchester City's fluid attacking play, the questions facing Jurgen Klopp have not changed; their defence is frail and susceptible to confident attackers.
Of course, it was the cause behind Mané's dismissal that dominated the post-match discussion. A high-foot into the face of Manchester City's goalkeeper Ederson, opinions were divided on whether the referee's decision was justified.
Well, apart from looking incredibly dangerous at the moment it occurred, subsequent pictures of Ederson's patched up face do not make for pleasant viewing either.
Why "he had to go for the ball" is wrong. Player's right to safety is greater than the right to do anything to try and kick the ball. pic.twitter.com/DJhDUfrA2J
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) September 11, 2017
To his credit, Mané was quick to apologise to the Brazilian 'keeper via his Instagram account.
Unhappy with the dismissal and the three-game ban that it carries, Liverpool will lodge an appeal and seek to have the prospective ban reduced.
