In the friendly International Champions Cup match played between Liverpool and Chelsea, Cesc Fabregas was given a direct red card for a terrible challenge on Liverpool’s new man Ragnar Klavan. The Spanish international saw red in the 70th minute after trying to get to a loose ball but instead sinking his studs into Klavan’s ankle.
After the game, the Chelsea midfielder went to the Liverpool dressing room and offered his apologies to both Ragnar Klavan as well as the Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for the mistimed challenge.
The referee faced some criticism from players as well as the managers for his performance during the game, in which he booked six players in addition to sending Fabregas off.
“It's a red card and I hope it's not a mentality issue,” Klopp said in his post-match press conference. He (Fabregas) came in the dressing room and said sorry, he came too late in the challenge. Sometimes in life if you are too late then you get a red card. That's how it was. It was just a knock for Klavan. I think he will be okay,” Jurgen Klopp following the game.
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Five Liverpool players were booked during the match but Klopp felt the game wasn’t too hotly contested.
“It was a normal intensity with a few hard challenges,” he added. “The players are not in 100% shape so sometimes they can be a bit late with their challenges. That's how it is. The ref thought from the beginning he would show yellow cards. “I don't think the game was too hard but it was far away from a friendly game. That's okay. That's why we're here.”
Klopp’s main concern will be the well-being of Marko Grujic, who had a nasty clash of heads with Bertrand Traore. The Serbian was taken to a hospital after the game with a possible concussion. Grujic put on some impressive displays for Liverpool in the friendlies that have been played so far, so fans, teammates, and manager alike will be hoping that the youngster doesn’t suffer any lasting effects.
With the Premier League kicking off in just over two weeks, Liverpool need their players at their peak.
