Lee Dixon says Sadio Mane should have seen red, as Liverpool beat Arsenal

Published on September 29, 2020

Lee Dixon has told TalkSPORT (09:10am, Tuesday) that he believes Liverpool star Sadio Mane should have been sent off after picking up a yellow card for an elbow on Kieran Tierney – as the Reds cruised to a 3-1 win over Arsenal on Monday night.

Mane netted an equaliser after Alexandre Lacazette had put Arsenal 1-0 to the good. A mistake from Andy Robertson allowed Lacazette to score, only for Mo Salah’s shot to be parried to Mane who tapped home. Robertson made it 2-1.

Liverpool secured all three points with substitute and new signing Diogo Jota volleying an effort into the corner of the net. However, the result could have been very different had Lacazette scored when put through on goal – at 2-1.

Arsenal icon Dixon was asked if he felt Mane should have been sent off for the elbow, he responded by stating the Liverpool number 10 should have seen red – and if a decision had been left to VAR, then a red would have been given.

“It’s a red all day long. I expect people to say I am biased, if it was an Arsenal player, it would have been red. If you go in like that, malice or not, with your elbow – it is red. The fact it was three minutes in saved him. But you go to VAR, and that’s a red card.”

(Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)

TBR’s view – Was Mane lucky?

Without a doubt. In the immediate build up with both players sprinting towards the ball, Mane looks at Tierney before planting his elbow into the Scotland defender’s face. It is not as if the challenge is a header, and arms are up to gain leverage.

The ball is on the deck, and naturally, the arms are used to generate speed and get the body in between your opponent and the ball. Mane’s arm or elbow is unaturally high, so it could be argued there is intent from the ex-Southampton man.

Dixon is right, had a decision gone to VAR, a red card would have been awarded.