Liverpool nearly found themselves down to 10 men after just two minutes of their game against Arsenal on Monday night.
The Reds were hoping to continue their 100% record at the beginning of their title defence when they hosted Mikel Arteta's side, with Arsenal looking for a third win in-a-row in just a few months over their hosts.
It took just a couple of minutes for the first big incident of the night. Mane ran down the right wing, after knocking the ball their himself, and was chased by Kieran Tierney.
The forward looked to fend the left-back off and made contact with Tierney's face with his arm, and potentially the point of his elbow, with the referee blowing for a foul but only showing the Liverpool player a yellow card.
Could Sadio Mane have been shown a red card for this? 🟥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 28, 2020
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Would have been a red had it been Xhaka instead of Mane. pic.twitter.com/ZgHsHMrQkM
— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) September 28, 2020
Much as I think Sadio Mane is a superb footballer and wonderful human being that was a red card
— Layth (@laythy29) September 28, 2020
How the hell has Mane not been Sent off for this? Technically a punch!! VAR should of seen this!! #LIVARS #Liverpool #Arsenal #SadioMane #Mane #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/vhGY2snzqD
— EvilSimonCFC 💙 (@EvilSiimon) September 28, 2020
Images: Just a yellow card for Liverpool’s Sadio Mane for raising his arm into Kieran Tierney’s face. 🤔 #afc pic.twitter.com/ZRVFibscp4
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) September 28, 2020
They probably changed the rules earlier today because Mane should be off. Red card!
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) September 28, 2020
If Mane scores, you bet your balls i will complain how he should’ve been sent off pic.twitter.com/7AxCnmHt0b
— FG (@FunnyGooner) September 28, 2020
Sadio Mane should be inside dressing room by now sweeping for this harsh tackle #LIVARS pic.twitter.com/Lp7jeWxswD
— Virus Man (@Habsonfloww) September 28, 2020
3 minutes in and @LFC could’ve been a Mane down.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 28, 2020
How is Mane still on the bloody pitch after that? Var is a disgrace
— UpYourArsenal🔴⚪🔴⚪♥️ (@UPYOURARSENAL04) September 28, 2020
In typical fashion, having got away without a red card, Mane went on to score for Jurgen Klopp's side in the first half, though it wasn't the opening goal of the game.
After coming under early pressure, Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring for the Gunners after 25 minutes, with a somewhat fortuitous goal, but the lead didn't last long.
Just three minutes later Mohamed Salah's shot was parried by Bernd Leno straight into the path of Mane, with the Senegal forward knocking the ball into an empty net from inches out for 1-1.
Not behind for long 💪
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 28, 2020
Sadio Mane taps home and Liverpool are back level against Arsenal
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Andy Robertson, whose mistake had helped Arsenal go 1-0 up, made it 2-1 to the hosts in the 34th minute, to really rub salt in the wound.
Arsenal had beaten the Premier League champions at the Emirates Stadium at the end of last season, after Liverpool had already been crowned as champions, and then beat them in the Community Shield on penalties last month.
A third win in quick succession might have been possible if Mane had seen red early on.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/foul-play-sadio-mane-lucky-not-to-be-sent-off-after-two-minutes-20200928
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