Fabinho ends up floored as red mist comes down on Rodri in Man City vs Liverpool
Fabinho and Rodri nearly came to blows as tempers boiled over during Liverpool's Carabao Cup clash against Manchester City on Thursday night.
The Reds had hoped to defend their crown after winning the trophy under Jurgen Klopp last season for the first time. But they have been sent packing after losing 3-2 in a thriller at the Etihad against their top rivals.
And as time trickled down, a scissor-kick tackle on Rodri from Fabinho left the City star incensed and led to the red mist descending on the midfielder. The Spaniard hit back at the Liverpool ace before Ilkay Gundogan charged in and shoved him over.
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It led to a on-pitch scuffle between both sets of players, though to the credit of some they appeared to ease the situation as Rodri eventually calmed down. Referee David Coote booked both players diplomatically before the game continued.
But it is just the latest flashpoint in a rivalry that has been brewing for some time between the two top teams, who have been rivalling for the Premier League title over the past five years.
It comes just days after Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders insisted that the they must play their part in calming down tensions between the clubs.
There have been unsavoury scenes off the pitch between fans in recent years and there are fears that the players – and coaches – are only stoking the flames.
“With rivalry comes emotion and that's good because we need emotions from the stand, we need emotion for our players. The only problem with emotion is when there's no respect, then it becomes really harmful and that can't happen. It happened, but it's positive that both clubs are cooperating," Lijnders said.
City have set up a quarter-final tie against Southampton after emerging 3-2 victors over Liverpool on Thursday night. It only took Erling Haaland 10 minutes to get back on the scoresheet after a month off because of the World Cup.
Fabio Carvalho struck back before Riyad Mahrez put City back ahead just moments after half-time. Mohamed Salah, though, equalised almost immediately before Nathan Ake planted a delicious Kevin de Bruyne cross past Caoimhin Kelleher.
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