It was a match that everyone was looking forward to - Chelsea vs Liverpool.After all the goals over the weekend, this clash at Stamford Bridge was guaranteed goals. Surely!?Unfortunately, for the first 40 minutes of Sunday’s afternoon clash was very underwhelming.There was very little goalscoring opportunities to talk of as Liverpool dominated possession without creating anything.Chelsea did look dangerous on the break with Timo Werner but Alisson didn’t have a save to make.However, with just a few minutes to go until half-time, we finally had some drama.Jordan Henderson’s pass set up Sadio Mane, who was brought down by Andreas Christensen.
Referee Paul Tierney initially gave a yellow card but, after looking at the VAR screen, pulled out a red.
Was it the correct decision? Was Mane going to get there?
Both Sky Sports co-commentators Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher suggested it should have been changed to a red card as Tierney went over to look at the monitor.
While the ball may have been bouncing away from Mane, it was hard to tell whether he would have reached it before Kepa Arrizabalaga. In truth, it shouldn't really come into the equation. We don't know what would have happened and the fact that Mane may not have got there means Christensen can just bring him down.
We think the red was definitely the correct decision.
Liverpool were given a free-kick in a very dangerous position but Trent Alexander-Arnold, who scored in both Premier League games against Chelsea last season, couldn't trouble Kepa Arrizabalaga.