[Anfield2017]

Damn unlucky day and double standard in Referee!

Liverpool fans confused after watching Matt Ritchie given yellow card for Sadio Mane-type high boot

Reds star Mane was given his marching orders for a high boot against Manchester City, but a similar challenge from Ritchie only earned a caution on Sunday

BYPAUL GORST
17:52, 10 SEP 2017

The yellow card dished out to Newcastle's Matt Ritchie after a high boot on Swansea's Alfie Mawson has certainly raised eyebrows amongst Liverpool fans online.

The Newcastle winger's boot was raised to head height as Swans defender Mawson cleared the ball during their game at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon, and the Magpies wideman was immediately apologetic after the incident.


Referee Mike Jones opted only to caution Ritchie just a day after Liverpool winger Sadio Mane was sent off against Manchester City for a similar challenge on goalkeeper Ederson.



Mane was given a straight red in the first half at the Etihad as the Reds succumbing to a 5-0 hammering, and Jurgen Klopp is now likely to be without the Senegal international for three domestic games.

Speaking on Sunday morning before the Newcastle game, Gary Neville tweeted: "The red yesterday irrespective of which view you have will result in total confusion in the coming weeks and months on high boot challenges".

Ritchie himself admitted he fortunate not to see red after Mane's sending off earlier this weekend.

And it appears the Sky Sports analysts prediction has proven correct, with plenty of Reds fans lining up to question why Ritchie was only cautioned just a day after seeing the influential Mane dismissed at the Etihad.

After seeing the incident unfold during Sky Sports' live coverage, dozens of Reds fans went online to tweet their dismay over the lack of consistency between the two incidents.