Cesc Fabregas was sent off for a full-blooded challenge on Ragnar Klavan in Liverpool’s International Champions Cup tournament game against Chelsea this morning.
When Fabregas went in on Liverpool’s new signing with two feet the immediate thought was, “well, that’s that. He’s off.” And the Spaniard did receive his marching orders for a challenge you’d really not expect to find in a pre-season friendly.
What is really pleasing to hear is that Chelsea’s Spanish international went to Liverpool’s dressing room at full-time to apologize in person to Ragnar Klavan for a tackle that definitely hurt more than a little. The intensity in the fixture was welcome but dangerous tackles like the one that saw Fabregas miss the remainder of the game have no place in any football fixture.
However, we can easily forgive and forget the incident due to Fabregas’ humility and professionalism and willingness to apologize.
From the Liverpool Echo, Jürgen Klopp said:
“It’s a red card and I hope it’s not a mentality issue,”
“He (Fabregas) came in the dressing room and said sorry, he came too late in the challenge.
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“Sometimes in life if you are too late then you get a red card. That’s how it was.
“It was just a knock for Klavan. I think he will be okay.”
There were five Liverpool players booked for rash challenges in an unusually intense pre-season friendly.
“It was a normal intensity with a few hard challenges,” he added.
“The players are not in 100% shape so sometimes they can be a bit late with their challenges. That’s how it is.
“The ref thought from the beginning he would show yellow cards.
“I don’t think the game was too hard but it was far away from a friendly game. That’s okay. That’s why we’re here.”
