Liverpool fans were left seething after Paris St Germain's Marco Verratti escaped a red-card for his rash challenge on Joe Gomez in the first-half of tonight's game.
Trailing 1-0 and looking far from their best, it appeared Liverpool would be at least afforded the benefit of a one-man advantage.
However, after looking for all the world like he knew the worst was coming, Marco Verratti was presented with a yellow-card as Gomez looked on disbelievingly.
PSG:n Marco Verrattille keltainen kortti holtittomasta taklauksesta. Punaisen paikka?🤔 #UCLfi pic.twitter.com/VaUA3T7jXX
— C More Sport 🇫🇮 (@CMoreSportFi) November 28, 2018
A look from this variety of angles demonstrates just how dangerous Verratti's tackle was for the young English defender.
Marco Verratti gets booked for a late challenge on Joe Gomez...
Should it have been red?! pic.twitter.com/XamnwetWhr— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 28, 2018
Many viewers were left a little perplexed as to how the Italian midfielder had escaped a straight red.
Disgraceful challenge. Disgraceful not to send him off. Could have broken @J_Gomez97's leg. #LFC #PSG #PSGLIV #UCL #ChampionsLeague #Verratti pic.twitter.com/5cj47P0ZDQ
— LFC Photo (@LFCphoto) November 28, 2018
Verratti in a nutshell there: brilliant poise & technique to dance through Liverpool’s press & lay the ball off, then commits a horrendous red card challenge while chasing the return. So smart & yet so brainless at times
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) November 28, 2018
Nasty tackle from Verratti. Should have been a red card
— Stephen Doyle (@dubsoulrebel) November 28, 2018
If Gomez had rolled around like Neymar did a few minutes earlier, Verratti would definitely have been off. #PSGLFC
— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) November 28, 2018
Should have been red for Verratti. Bad tackle. High and late.
— Allan (@Dynamite1978) November 28, 2018
Fucking red card all night long that, leg breaker if I ever saw one , filthy from verratti.
— The redmen. (@mickbarrett72) November 28, 2018
Even the club's own Twitter account felt compelled to editorialise the challenge.
⏲️24: Marco Verratti is shown a yellow card for a rough challenge on Gomez. #PSGLFC
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) November 28, 2018
From there, Liverpool's night scarcely got any better.
With Alisson repeatedly called into action, the second goal came after yet another save from the Brazilian fell into Neymar's path.
His international teammate had little to do but pass it into the vacant goal. Looking comfortable in their lead, a consolation late in the half came by way of a penalty; James Milner finishing well to bring the score back to 2-1.
