Gary Neville claimed that Liam Cooper’s tackle on Sadio Mane in the 72nd minute was the ‘absolute replica’ of the tackle on Harvey Elliott during Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Leeds on Sunday.
The TV pundit told Sky Sports (12/09/21 at 6:00 pm) that the difference between Cooper’s tackle on Mane was that he ‘didn’t land’ on the Liverpool forward.
Just before the hour mark of Leeds’ home clash against Liverpool, Elliott suffered a horror injury after a tackle from Pascal Struijk, for which he received a straight red for.
It was an unfortunate moment because it wasn’t an overly aggressive tackle, nor was the player reckless, it was just pure bad luck in Elliott’s case.
When Cooper made his challenge on Mane deep inside Liverpool’s half, he won the ball, his opponent got back up, with no issues from any players.
And given that Neville felt that Struijk shouldn’t have seen red, this is what he said minutes later about Cooper’s tackle.
“That Cooper challenge over on the far side, on Mane, was very similar to the one on Harvey Elliott,” said Neville.
“In fact, it’s an absolute replica. He just didn’t land on the boy.”
What is even more unfortunate for Elliott is that he was just about to be substituted by Jurgen Klopp.
Pictures had panned to Jordan Henderson on the subs bench getting ready to come on for the Liverpool teenager.
And then right in front of both dugouts, Elliott suffered his horror moment that left many that saw it in shock and disbelief.
But he needs to look at the positive and the impact he has had on this Liverpool side, despite his young age.
Elliott is the future of this Liverpool team and he will be donning their colours in years and years to come.
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