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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Tom Cavilla

Former Liverpool goalkeeper says Robert Sanchez challenge on Luis Diaz was 'definitely not' a red card

Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James has supported the decision for Brighton's Robert Sanchez not to be sent off against Liverpool this afternoon.

The Spanish shot-stopper controversially avoided a red card after sending Luis Diaz flying to the ground following a misjudged attempt to win the ball.

A dismissal for Sanchez seemed certain with Diaz down and hurt, but VAR decided against any form of punishment for the 24-year-old having reviewed the footage.

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This decision left former Premier League referee Peter Walton perplexed, as well as the pundits in the BT Sport who were also baffled.

"If you ever want to see serious foul play, that's it," said Peter Crouch.

"We will probably see a sending off this weekend where someone has pushed someone in the face or they've gone head-to-head, and you know they're not hurt. He [Diaz] could have been seriously injured here. We've seen injuries to Raul Jimenez and Ryan Mason [to the head], it could have been that bad."

One ex-professional footballer who had an alternative opinion on the incident involving Diaz and Sanchez was James, who is of the view that the correct call was made due to the Liverpool forward finding the back of the net as the pair collided on the pitch.

"Great play from Diaz, defo not a sending off for Sanchez," he tweeted.

"It would have been a foul, pen and sending off, had Diaz not scored. He did.

"It's an outstretched leg, whilst high, it's not head height and Sanchez hasn't kicked Diaz."

Liverpool went on to score a second goal in the second half through Mohamed Salah, which put the game out of reach and deflected away from the controversy surrounding the Reds' opener at the Amex.

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