Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey earned himself a red card against Liverpool on Thursday night.
The Gunners were eliminated from the Carabao Cup after losing 2-0 to Liverpool in the second leg of this week’s semi-final at the Emirates Stadium.
Partey had flown home from the Africa Cup of Nations on the same day and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta didn’t hesitate to name him in the squad – and bring him on in the second half.
It was two yellow cards which saw the Ghana international receive his marching orders but, really, his second challenge – three minutes after the first – could’ve been a straight red.
Liverpool powerhouse Fabinho was the victim of a rash, studs-up lunge by the former Atletico Madrid midfielder, jeopardising his chances of facing Crystal Palace this afternoon.
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has described it as a ‘proper knock’ by Partey but sounded hopeful that the towering Brazilian could start in midfield.
He told Liverpool’s official website on Saturday: “Yes, we got knocks, proper knocks. Wow, second yellow from Partey against Fabinho, that was a proper knock.”
Optimistic
Klopp certainly sounds optimistic – and he has to be.
That’s because Liverpool’s midfield options are stretched thin as it is and losing Fabinho to injury would be a massive blow.
Harvey Elliott won’t be back until February; Naby Keita is at the Africa Cup of Nations and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is injured now, too.
Fabinho has been a bedrock of this Liverpool XI for years now and losing him would be horrible for the German manager.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
