Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Alexis Sanchez could have been sent off in the first half of Liverpool’s game last night.
The Inter Milan player went in late on Thiago Alcantara. Replays showed that studs were planted on the Liverpool man’s knee. Sanchez was given a yellow card for the incident.
Speaking to the press via liverpoolfc.com, Klopp thinks Sanchez was lucky to stay on the pitch following the tackle.
“I think he (Sanchez) was quite lucky that he didn’t get a different colour (card) in the first half for a foul on Thiago,” said the Liverpool manager.
“Leg that high against the knee, similar situation. Passion is good, absolutely good, but if it leads to these kind of things it just doesn’t help.”
Sanchez did finally receive his marching orders in the second half. The Chilean picked up a second booking for a high lunge on Fabinho.
The sending off came at a crucial time of the game. With Lautaro Martinez having just pulled a goal back in the tie for Inter, Liverpool looked there for the taking.
But Sanchez’s belated dismissal changed the course of the match at Anfield and made life easier for The Reds.
Protect Thiago at all costs
Klopp’s comments are entirely justified. Sanchez’s tackle on his former Barcelona teammate, Thiago, was completely reckless and needlessly high.
There was a hearts-in-mouths moments for all Liverpool fans watching as the Spaniard went down clutching his knee.
The incident brought back memories of Richarlison’s horrendous tackle on Thiago during a game against Everton in September 2020. That ruled the 30-year-old out for more than three months of football.
It was possibly a surprise to see Thiago back in the starting line up. He hadn’t played since being withdrawn pre-game for the Carabao Cup final at the end of February.
But his inclusion after just a couple of training sessions again underlines how important he is in the biggest games for Klopp.
As it was, he came through the came unscathed and was replaced by Jordan Henderson with 25 minutes to play.
Presumably that change was made with one eye on the weekend fixture with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Thiago’s fitness needs to be managed carefully. Liverpool are a better side with him on the pitch.
Klopp could do without tackles flying in on his number 6 like the one we saw from Sanchez last night. Thankfully Thiago was fine and the former Arsenal player got his just desserts eventually, too.
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