Lazar Markovic

[DannyMan2006]

Don't need to Bob, the ref done it for me. Fair play to him, got the major decisions right last night.

If he'd have actually caught him properly on the face I'd agree, whether it was intentional or not. He didn't. He brushed his nose with his finger. If he'd actually swung something at the guy with intent to cause proper damage, I'd agree. He didn't, he swung his fingers out.

Never a red. Not in a million years. But Markovic was still an idiot for what he did.

On the rest of his game, wow. First time he's actually looked like he's wanted to do something. Normally he gets of the ball like a hot potato, but finally he showed a glimpse of what we all (mostly) knew he was capable of. Rodgers could with someone standing up and offering something prior to January. We need a Lazarus. Could be Lazar....

[McDermotX]

If he'd have actually caught him properly on the face I'd agree, whether it was intentional or not. He didn't. He brushed his nose with his finger. If he'd actually swung something at the guy with intent to cause proper damage, I'd agree. He didn't, he swung his fingers out.

Never a red. Not in a million years. But Markovic was still an idiot for what he did.

On the rest of his game, wow. First time he's actually looked like he's wanted to do something. Normally he gets of the ball like a hot potato, but finally he showed a glimpse of what we all (mostly) knew he was capable of. Rodgers could with someone standing up and offering something prior to January. We need a Lazarus. Could be Lazar....

Unfortunately, whether he connected hard, whether he connected softly, whether he connected at all is largely irrelevant to the rules outlined for this sort of incident.
He knew what he was doing, took two glances at the player, before deliberately flinging out his hand at head height. What did he honestly think would be the reaction ??
He wasn't 'pawing' off a challenge and he wasn't the victim of a disgraceful red card. He was in direct contravention of the rules, however prissy we might think they are, and he paid the correct price for his transgression.
We see the likes of Bog Brush-Head at ManU flailing his arms about and we cry when he seems to be getting away with murder or Alexis swinging out, but this wasn't an accidental connection with the opposing player's face when being challenged, it was a directed move towards the player.

I understand that people are having a hard time accepting what happened, possibly looking for an excuse to lay down on an officiating decision,but I just can't accept that. He done wrong....he was sent off. End of story.
Bitch and moan about the player going down easy and all that, and wallow on how 'back in the day' that was never a foul, but lets call a spade a ****ing spade.

(not directed solely at yourself Danny, just a carry-on from some of the ****e I'm hearing today from people )

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXhSFv9dAEY"]Lazar Markovic RED CARD Dive or NOT Liverpool vs Basel - YouTube[/ame]

[Shaggy]

Don't agree, he looks and sees the guy closing in and is fully expecting a physical challenge, for the lad to come shoulder to shoulder with him. So after he's looked at the lad he looks at the ball again and puts his arm out to fend off the anticipated challenge that never came - the fella kept his distance and Lazar's fingernail brushes the lad's nostril and he goes down like a sack of ****. Not even close to a red card IMO.

[RichC]

Don't agree, he looks and sees the guy closing in and is fully expecting a physical challenge, for the lad to come shoulder to shoulder with him. So after he's looked at the lad he looks at the ball again and puts his arm out to fend off the anticipated challenge that never came - the fella kept his distance and Lazar's fingernail brushes the lad's nostril and he goes down like a sack of ****. Not even close to a red card IMO.

Is exactly what happened the problem is once you raise your arms and a player makes the most of it you've given the ref a decision to make and in this case he's made the wrong one.

He should certainly start on Sunday at least there looks to be some creativity and willingness to at least try things.

I've no idea who we're going to play up top though

[Kenneth]

He looked at the guy a split second before sticking his arm out and it was clearly a red because it was dangerous. Eyes are delicate and important. Even the alternative explanation is based on him being a complete fanny and fearing someone getting near him.

[Shaggy]

It's not about "fear" or him "being a complete fanny" - when you play football and you anticipate a challenge, or are challenged, you use your arms to fend the guy off.

[Kenneth]

Not relevant to this case I guess as he saw the guy was nowhere near him and had to stretch to touch him, but he is away, he should be looking at what to do with ball, not worrying because there is a player some distance behind him. Fair enough if he was shielding the ball out for a goal kick, but not there.

[Vermilion]

More i see it the more i think a red was pathetic, it's nothing more than a range finder, an arm to feel where the opposing player might be coming in from to tackle. imho.

[Darkon]

It's a harsh red no doubt, but Markovic is at fault himself for sticking his arm up there after looking at him. Might have been anticipating something different (or not - who really knows?), but it really doesn't matter as it can be defended giving a red for someone throwing a hand/armup there. Even if it hit ever so lightly.

In my book it was stupid by Markovic and it cost us. I certainly don't blame the ref for us dropping in to the EL.

[Alex]

He was running away and put his hand out to hand a player off. I defy anyone to do that and flick someone in the eyes intentionally.

It was a mistake from Lazar, maybe a yellow card. But no way I can slice it, is it a straight red.

[Buzzo]

Look in his eyes, you can see the intent.

Its a definite red

[Vermilion]

Of course we don't blame the ref for us going out, that would be ridiculous, but looking at the decision on it's own, a yellow would have more than ample, if it was even needed at all.

[ntto]

one of the commentators said last night it was the height of his hand - if he had made contact below the neck it would have been a yellow.

Anything above the neck is a straight red

[DannyMan2006]

Look in his eyes, you can see the intent.

Its a definite red

Ha ha, if his nails were like that I'd have also agreed with the red I must say

[Kenneth]

More i see it the more i think a red was pathetic, it's nothing more than a range finder, an arm to feel where the opposing player might be coming in from to tackle. imho.

Forget the range finding etc for a minute, was it dangerous? I thinK so. He didn't put his hand there by accident, that's clear.