Remember when Sadio Mane accidentally but definitely almost rearranged Ederson’s facial structure?
A high boot from the Liverpool forward when Manchester City trounced the visiting Reds earned Mane a straight red card.
And Gary Neville, who was on commentary duty for the game, was stunned to see Mane receive his marching orders for the collision.
“I don’t think that’s a red card. I genuinely don’t,” Neville said, after insisting that Mane “had to go for it.”
Neville was reminded of his take on the Mane-Ederson incident this weekend, when he commentated on Manchester United’s trip to Anfield.
In the first half, United forward Romelu Lukaku cut a frustrated figure as he remained isolated and struggled to get involved in the game which finished 0-0.
The Belgian powerhouse escaped punishment for a foul on Joe Gomez but it was an incident with Dejan Lovren moments later which immediately became a talking point.
After battling for the ball, a flicked heel from Lukaku caught the Reds defender on the jaw and viewers were divided on whether it was an intentional attempt to hurt Lovren or not.
Neville wasn’t quite so torn the matter, however, as he reacted in an entirely different way than he did with the Mane incident last month.
Neville suggested that Lukaku was lucky to stay on the pitch and fans pointed out the stark contrast between his take on Saturday and the opinion he had on a much more violent clash at the Etihad on September 9.
Gary Neville's initial reaction to whatever happened with Lukaku and Lovren sounded more concerned than his reaction when Mane nearly rearranged Ederson's face.
— Annie Eaves (@AnnieEaves) October 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/Mards20/status/919175169675071488
https://twitter.com/CiaranAllen82/status/919175347266039808
Remember when Neville didn't think Mane's challenge on Ederson was a red card? But now he thinks Lukaku ought to be sent off for that.
— Jason (@Jason_R86) October 14, 2017
Gary Neville wants to make something of Lukaku's incident but says Mane's flying boot challenge was only yellow? Take a day off Nev.
— Adam (@AdamJoseph____) October 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/Meener1/status/919177312784003072
