Bruno Fernandes received a yellow card for a 'reckless' challenge on Dominik Szoboszlai in Manchester United's 3-2 win over Liverpool
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes' challenge on Dominik Szoboszlai was not worthy of a red card(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Bruno Fernandes' late challenge on Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai did not warrant a red card. The Manchester United captain went in hard on the Hungarian during the closing stages of Sunday's 3-2 victory over the Reds, making contact with his ankle.
While Fernandes received only a yellow card, there were suggestions the booking should have been upgraded to a dismissal given the risk of causing serious harm to the Liverpool goalscorer. Fernandes' tackle proved one of several contentious moments in a match dominated by the controversial decision to allow Benjamin Sesko's goal to stand, amid protests it there was a handball.
Alternative footage shows the ball making contact with the Slovenian's hands as he scored United's second goal. Szoboszlai was left sprawled on the turf following the forceful challenge from Fernandes, while Alexis Mac Allister and Ibrahima Konate protested to referee Darren England about the nature of the tackle.
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However, Gallagher felt that while the lunge was 'reckless' it fell short of meriting a red card. On Sky Sports' Ref Watch, he said: "I think the yellow card was right, he is low and doesn't come from a great distance, so he doesn't gather the speed.
"It's a reckless challenge but it is low and doesn't go above the boot. Once you do that, you're in trouble.
"Most tackles, for a split second, you are off the ground. The difference is when someone is throwing themselves in the air and have no control of their body."
Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd echoed Gallagher's sentiments, arguing that Szoboszlai shielding the ball in the corner of his own final third was what initiated the contact.
He said: "The challenge itself is very low. He can see Szoboszlai is about to shield the ball out.
"Szoboszlai has put his foot there. That's why he's gone into his ankle. It's a yellow card, nothing more than that. You can see he's not trying to hurt anybody, it's not aggressive."
Liverpool looked to be heading for a heavy defeat after a laboured first half that saw them fall behind to Matheus Cunha and Sesko. However, Szoboszlai sparked a remarkable comeback, netting a brilliant solo goal to cut the deficit.
He then switched to playmaker following Senne Lammens' costly error. Szoboszlai set up Cody Gakpo to slot into an empty net after the Belgian goalkeeper's goal kick was intercepted.
However, Liverpool now find themselves six points adrift of their rivals, who sealed their place in next season's Champions League in the process.