Soccer

Kevin Mirallas expected to see red against Liverpool

Belgian’s studs up challenge on Luis Suarez only resulted in yellow card during drawn Merseyside derby

Everton’s Kevin Mirallas (left) catches Liverpool’s Luis Suarez with a high tackle at Goodison Park. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Everton’s Kevin Mirallas (left) catches Liverpool’s Luis Suarez with a high tackle at Goodison Park. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire
Mon Nov 25 2013 - 15:58

Everton forward Kevin Mirallas has admitted he expected to be sent off for his challenge on Luis Suarez in Saturday's Merseyside derby.

The Belgian clattered into Suarez knee-high and was booked in the 36th minute of the 3-3 draw at Goodison Park with the Uruguayan left in visible discomfort.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers felt that Mirallas should have been sent off and the Toffees forward admits that he too expected the worst.

Luis Suarez of Liverpool after being fouled by Kevin Mirallas of Everton at Goodison Park. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Luis Suarez of Liverpool after being fouled by Kevin Mirallas of Everton at Goodison Park. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

“When I made the challenge the first thing I thought was that it was gong to be red card,” he admitted. “I was genuinely going for the ball but I know I caught him on the knee and I said sorry straight away.”

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Rodgers pulled no punches in his assessment of the challenge after the game, claiming it was the sort of tackle that can ‘that can end your career’.

“I thought Mirallas should have been sent off. It would’ve been interesting if Luis made the challenge,” said Rodgers. “I have seen Kevin for a few years and he looks a real honest player but if you look at it in every way, real time and slow motion, it is a bad challenge.

“He caught him on the back of his knee and that can end your career. It was awful jumping in like that and it took Luis 10 or 15 minutes to try to run it off and he (Mirallas) had another one by the (far) touchline where he’s jumped up and come down on the back of Luis.

“He (Suarez) is a player who can look after himself on the pitch, he is a strong player, but I just think it was a bad challenge. It wouldn’t matter if it was on Luis or someone else it was a naughty challenge. You don’t want to see people getting sent off but if they should be than that’s what should happen.”