Fabinho was lucky to escape an obvious red card for his shocking challenge on Brighton’s Evan Ferguson in Liverpool’s 2-1 FA Cup fourth round defeat on Sunday afternoon according to former Seagulls striker Glenn Murray and Karen Carney.
Liverpool’s Brazilian defensive midfielder, clearly frustrated with the way proceedings were going at the Amex Stadium, lashed out late on the Brighton striker in a poor attempt to win possession back.
Brighton dashed the FA Cup holders out of the competition courtesy of a deflected goal from Lewis Dunk and Kaoru Mitoma’s late strike.
Fabinho (red) quickly protested his innocence after his challenge on Evan Ferguson
Fabinho (floor) hacked Ferguson (left) down from behind in Sunday’s FA Cup clash
Replays showed the Brazilian raked his studs down the achilles of the young Irish striker
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side could have been made a whole lot worse should Fabinho have been given his marching orders for the rash challenge.
Murray insisted VAR should have overturned the initial yellow card the 29-year-old was shown in place of a red, while Carney pointed out the signs that showed Fabinho himself knew he was lucky to stay on the pitch.
‘For me that’s a match changing incident so it needs to be reviewed,’ said Murray on ITV.
Murray believes Fabinho was lucky to keep his place on the pitch after his poor tackle
Liverpool are struggling results and have now won once in their last six games in all matches
‘I can’t understand how the VAR referee can say that isn’t a red. It’s a terrible challenge.
‘The player knows it’s a red, he’s waiting to be sent off and somehow remains on the field. That’s me as a professional footballer not as a Brighton ex-player.’ he added.
Carney said: ‘Sometimes referees just go and look at the offending player and you know that should be a red card.
Kaoru Mitoma scored a last-minute winner to continue his and his side’s fantastic form
‘He [Fabinho] knows. It’s late, it’s a horrible challenge and he knows he should have been sent off there.
Roberto de Zerbi’s smooth firing Brighton side deservedly progressed to the competition’s fifth round after their impressive display.
They will find out who awaits them in the fifth round on Monday January 30.