'Certainly not' - Referee gives verdict after Luis Diaz red card incident in Liverpool game
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has explained why he thinks the correct decision was made not to send off Justin Kluivert for the tackle on Luis Diaz.
Liverpool recorded a 4-0 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday. The win, which came courtesy of second-half braces from Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, saw the Reds move five points clear at the top of the table.
The contest was goalless after the first half, with one of the main talking points behind Kluivert's tackle on Diaz. The Bournemouth forward was competing with Alexis Mac Allister to win possession and accidentally stood on Diaz's leg while trying to reach for the ball.
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Diaz required treatment by the Reds medical staff but was able to continue for the rest of the game before being substituted in the second half. There was a VAR check on the tackle from Kluivert, but it was deemed that no further action was required and no red card was issued.
Some Liverpool fans have pointed out on social media the similarities in the challenge to the tackle by Curtis Jones against Tottenham Hotspur last September, which resulted in a red card for the Reds midfielder. However, Gallagher has explained why referee Andy Madley was right not to send Kluivert off.
"It's certainly not 'play on'," Gallagher said on Sky Sports Ref Watch. "Is it above the ankle? Yes, I don't think it looks good, but as he goes to play the ball MacAllister just nudges him.
"He comes from such a short distance, he's just off balance. It's a free kick and yellow
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