Sevilla's Joris Gnagnon Given Straight Red After 'Disgusting' And 'Cowardly' Tackle vs. Liverpool

Sevilla defender Joris Gnagnon has issued an apology after he received a straight red card for a "heinous" tackle during the club's 2-1 win against Liverpool.

The 22-year-old defender was given his marching orders in the pre-season 'friendly' when he lashed out at young left-back Yasser Larouci.

This might just be one of the worst tackles ever seen in a pre-season game.

Larouci, who was soon stretchered off the field of play because of his injuries, was "lucky" to avoid serious injury, according to Jurgen Klopp.

Moments after the game, Gnagnon released a statement apologising for his actions.

"I would like to publicly apologise to Liverpool, the family of the player and the supporters." he said.

"It was a heinous act on my part for whatever reason and should not be seen on a football field.

"All my prayers are with the player and the family".

It was an incident that has left many at Liverpool fuming, including experienced midfielder James Milner, who has since hit out at the "disgraceful" challenge.

"There were some disgraceful tackles, we know it was a friendly but you don't see many red cards in a friendly." he said after the game.

"If you want to foul, pull a shirt. Don't take a young lad by the knee. Seeing it again it is a disgrace."

Virgil Van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson all went straight to Joris Gnagnon at full-time to confront him about the incident.

Liverpool Football Club have today released an injury update on their official website, confirming that the 18-year-old defender will need further assessment.

When asked for specifics on the Larouci injury, Klopp said: "He hit him full throttle and, in that moment, [if it was] a little bit different position where he hit him then it's done. He rolls... he is a sports boy so that was OK, nothing happened there.

"I don't know 100 per cent. It looks like he was lucky but I only spoke quickly to the Doc and that's what he said, but we have to see."

Thoughts on the above challenge?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Liverpool, SPORT, Football News, Football, injury, friendly, Sevilla

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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