Alexis Sanchez was sent off for a second yellow card against Liverpool, but risked a straight red earlier in the Champions League game for Inter. Were both decisions correct?
The Chile international was booked in the first half for a high boot on Thiago Alcantara that left the midfielder with a cut to his knee.
Champions League | Liverpool 0-1 Inter (2-1 agg): Martinez magic not enough
The referee opted for a yellow card and VAR did not intervene to suggest an on-field review, as Sanchez did seem to pull out of the tackle at the last second.
There are also some discussions over the second yellow card that did prompt his dismissal, because he got some of the ball and then caught Fabinho on the follow through.
That red card changed the game, as Inter had just taken the lead at Anfield through a Lautaro Martinez strike, eventually going out 2-1 on aggregate.
“I’m not having it.” 😤
Was Alexis Sánchez unlucky to receive his marching orders for his second yellow card offence this evening? 🤔@rioferdy5 and @fara_williams47 believe so, @rach_brown1 not so much…#UCL pic.twitter.com/OCltrOR7ZR
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 8, 2022
First challenge – Liverpool players could’ve reacted like inter players usually do to influence the ref, and it could’ve rightly and easily been a red.
Second challenge – not even a foul. Going for the ball, gets to the ball first, not reckless and has no control over where their opponent comes from or where they plant their feet. Terrible decision, but I think the ref was almost trying to correct his mistake when not sending him off for the first foul.