Sadio Mane Avoids Quickest Red Card In Premier League History For Challenge On Cesar Azpilicueta
Sadio Mane was booked seconds into the game against Chelsea and there was no VAR check.
Fans think Sadio Mane should have been sent off just six seconds into Liverpool's visit to Stamford Bridge.
Straight from kick-off, Liverpool launched the ball forward down the left and Mane led with his elbow in challenging Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta in the air.
The Spaniard ended up on the turf clutching his face in agony, with Anthony Taylor quickly brandishing a yellow card.
There was no official VAR check, despite replays on Sky Sports showing that Mane's challenge was a dangerous one.
But fans, in particular those supporting Chelsea, could not believe how Mane was not giving his marching orders and reckon he got lucky because of how early on it was.
To make matters worse, the Senegalese forward put Liverpool ahead in the ninth minute after capitalising on an error from Trevoh Chalobah and making no mistake when gifted the chance.
Had Mane been sent off, it would have been the quickest red card in Premier League history by a long way.
Currently the record is held by former Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Tim Flowers, who was sent for a very early bath after 72 seconds against Leeds United back in 1995.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was absolutely livid with the decision to only caution Mane, venting at the fourth official early on.
For Mane, this is his last game for Liverpool for around a month due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The same applies to Mo Salah, scorer of Liverpool's second against Chelsea, as he represents Egypt in the tournament hosted by Cameroon.
Featured Image Credit: Image: Sky SportsTopics: Chelsea, Sadio Mane, Liverpool, N'Golo Kante
Josh Lawless