Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has claimed that Fabinho was correctly shown a yellow card during Liverpool’s game against Manchester City on Sunday.
There were some suggestions that Fabinho’s tackle on Bernardo Silva could have been a red card. But appearing on Sky Sports Ref Watch, Gallagher said the decision to book the Liverpool man was absolutely right.
“You look at it, it’s not a nice tackle, it’s a yellow card,” said the former referee. “It’s reckless (but) it doesn’t warrant a red card in any game, let alone this game.”
Gallagher defended Anthony Taylor’s decision to let the game on Sunday flow as much as possible. He also claimed that regardless of the magnitude of match, Fabinho’s tackle would be punished in the same way.
“It wasn’t because he let a little bit more go than he should have done, you can’t say that because he let as much go as was possible. But that’s a yellow card offence in this game (or) whether it be on a local park, it’s the same tackle,” said Gallagher.
That sounds like a fair analysis of the Brazilian’s challenge on his former Monaco teammate. It was late and slightly high on the City player’s ankle, but a red card would have felt excessive.
Fabinho struggles against City
Fabinho’s late tackle was another poor moment in a rare off day for Liverpool’s number 3.
The 28-year-old couldn’t quite get to grips with the speed of the game. He was bypassed by City far too easily. Usually so tidy in possession, Fabinho posted a pass accuracy of just 76% – his lowest when starting a game all season.
Perhaps it was a result of the bang he took to the head in the late stages of the game against Benfica on Tuesday night.
Either way, the Brazil international wasn’t quite on it. Of course he’s allowed an off day, Fabinho is usually absolutely brilliant for Liverpool and he will be again.
It’s just a shame that he chose Sunday of all days to have a slight wobble.
The Reds command a healthy lead going into tomorrow’s second-leg against Benfica at Anfield. It might be as well to use the opportunity to give Fabinho a little rest. It looks like he might need it.
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