‘This isn’t good’: Michael Owen slams Liverpool man, who should be ‘thankful’ to Everton duo

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Michael Owen was critical of Sadio Mane for ‘sticking his finger’ into Mason Holgate’s face and then ‘raising his arm’ towards Allan during Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

The former Liverpool striker added that Mane should be ‘thankful’ to the Everton duo that they didn’t roll about and try to get him sent off because he was probably fortunate only to receive a yellow card during that incident.

It occurred in the first half when both teams were going at each other’s throats and Everton were trying their best to put the Premier League title-chasers off their game.

In truth, it was working because both teams went into the break goalless, but in the second half, the quality within Jurgen Klopp’s side shone through and they secured all three points.

Nonetheless, Mane’s actions during the game didn’t impress Owen, who stated it’s ‘something you aren’t allowed to do’, as he told Premier League Productions (24/04/22 at 5:35 pm).

“This is not good,” said Owen. “Sticking his finger into Holdgate’s face is something you aren’t allowed to do.

“But then he quickly follows it up by raising his arm again and pushing Allan in the face. So, he got a yellow card for one of those two altercations. I think it was the one on Allan.

“You can’t raise your hands and you can’t put it in people’s faces. I think he also has to be thankful that the two Everton players didn’t make a meal of it.

“If any of those players go down and start rolling around, then the referee could then got to VAR… and then you are really risking a red card. He needs to be careful in the future.”

As expected, it was a pretty hotly-contested and emotional Merseyside derby yesterday and one that had a number of big talking points.

Everton will feel that they should have been awarded a penalty during the game after Joel Matip’s challenge on Anthony Gordon.

Equally, the Everton winger was booked in the first half for diving, so that didn’t help matters.

But, either way, for both teams, it’s a game they have to forget about because they have pressing matters coming up.

Liverpool have the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash against Villarreal on Wednesday night, whilst Everton have dropped into the Premier League’s bottom three.