Rodri not shown a second yellow for hard challenge on Cody Gakpo

Manchester City midfielder Rodri looked incredibly fortunate to be let off with just a warning after clattering into Cody Gakpo in the first half against Liverpool.

Gakpo looked to be leading a counter attack for Liverpool, with the Dutchman carrying the ball forwards to create a 4 v 2 attacking scenario, but Rodri came from behind and hacked the attacker down.

It looked like an obvious foul on the Spaniard's part, but the referee did not see it as a challenge that was worthy of a booking.

Liverpool players surround the referee following his decision not to book Rodri. (PA images)

Rodri had already been booked just a minute earlier, and Liverpool players felt as though he deserved his marching orders for the challenge on Gakpo.

They immediately surrounded the ref after the foul was called, screaming for a second booking as Pep Guardiola was starting to get unsettled on the touchline, voicing his dismay at the protests.

Football fans online feel like Rodri should have been booked, and was lucky to get away with it:

"If Rodri wasn’t on a yellow he’d have been booked for that, lucky boy."

Another said: "Rodri (already on a yellow) purposefully preventing a 3v3 but doesn’t get booked? fairs"

A United fan also claimed: "If Casemiro did what Rodri just did, he would have received a 2nd yellow card.

No doubt in my mind. City fortunate not to get a red card."

Ultimately, Liverpool were awarded with just the free-kick, and Rodri was left unpunished with 10 minutes of the first half left to play, with the scores locked at 1-1.

The game is huge for both sides, with City looking to gain some ground on league leaders Arsenal, who are 8 points clear and Liverpool are looking to mount a late challenge for top 4, being 6 points adrift following a torrid start to the season.

That decision could prove costly in this game, as these fine margins can prove to be the difference makers in these high-stake games.