High boots are being punished just as harshly in Germany, it turns out.
The debate about whether players whose eyes are fixed on the ball but still land a high boot on an opposition player should be sent off has been raging for precisely seven days.
Liverpool’s Sadio Mane was sent off during the Reds defeat to Manchester City last weekend for reckless play when he collided with City goalkeeper Ederson outside the box.
The decision from referee Jon Moss to give the forward a straight red card divided opinion in the football community. Even the Neville brothers were torn on the matter.
Who's right? https://t.co/OccFLUaaoK
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) September 9, 2017
Well exactly a week since that Mane dismissal, Liverpool-bound midfielder Naby Keita was given his marching orders during Saturday’s Bundesliga clash between RB Leipzig and Borussia Moenchengladbach.
With just seven minutes remaining in the 2-2 draw, Keita was shown a straight red for a high boot on Christoph Kramer which looked eerily familiar.
https://twitter.com/ZCalcio/status/909117879240609793
And with Keita set to join up with Jurgen Klopp’s side next season, having had his £48 million release clause triggered in the summer, the exact same joke began doing the rounds on social media.
https://twitter.com/Chris78Williams/status/909117984769236993
Naby Keita will fit right in at Liverpool pic.twitter.com/k70bsOsIg5
— Zambia Fresh 🇿🇲 🇷🇺 (@CChamunda) September 16, 2017
Liverpool to appeal Keita's red card
— Dark Kimmel (@Fattcheeked) September 16, 2017
Naby Keita fully prepared for his move to Liverpool. awesome Mane impression. redcard
— Max Fasterppen (@Abbkrrr) September 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/FearTheKirch/status/909117659249303552
https://twitter.com/LarsPollmann/status/909117448032604160
Liverpool- player 2018, Keita, red card today. He is a red already
— Jan Aage Fjørtoft 🇳🇴 (@JanAageFjortoft) September 16, 2017
Keita has adapted to Liverpool's style of play already https://t.co/jEHLNuP1xG
— Luke (@lukewebb12) September 16, 2017
Keita really getting ready for Liverpool life. Done a mane
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) September 16, 2017
