HORROR CHALLENGE
Antoine Griezmann shown red card for kicking Roberto Firmino in the face in ‘Nigel de Jong-style’ attack
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN was sent off for Atletico Madrid after kicking Roberto Firmino in the FACE during their defeat to Liverpool.
The Frenchman, 30, scored twice in the first half as he brought the Spanish champions back from 2-0 down to go in level at the break.
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But his night turned sour in the second period when he clattered into Firmino's face studs-first.
The ex-Barcelona flop raised his foot well above his head and planted it in the neck of the Brazilian.
Griezmann was immediately shown the red card, with Diego Simeone's side reduced to ten men with over half an hour to play.
On the horror lunge, former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson told BBC Radio 5Live: "[The ball] was coming past Griezmann and he's put his foot out and caught Roberto Firmino.
"My first thought was that it was accidental. Yes, Firmino has been caught, but Griezmann was looking at the ball."
And the red proved costly with momentum shifting and Atletico ultimately unable to cling on, as Mohamed Salah - who earlier scored in a club-record NINTH successive game - scored a late penalty to snatch a 3-2 win.
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MARK HALSEY'S VIEW
LIVERPOOL were fortunate when German referee Daniel Siebert overturned a late penalty award to Atletico Madrid.
Siebert pointed to the spot after Diogo Jota pushed Jose Giminez but then changed his mind after a VAR review.
I was surprised VAR official Bastian Dankert even recommended a review because it wasn’t a clear and obvious error by the ref.
Jota ended up on the wrong side of Gimenez at an Atletico free-kick and there was enough contact.
In real time, I thought it was a penalty.
Siebert spent 40 seconds at the monitor and because he looked at the incident many times it seemed as if he doubted his original decision.
Earlier, Antoine Griezmann endangered the safety of Roberto Firmino with a high boot and it was the correct decision to send him off while Liverpool’s penalty was also spot on after Mario Hermoso’s clumsy challenge on Jota.
Griezmann will now be banned for Atletico's next European game - the return trip to Anfield on November 3.
Meanwhile, ex-Holland star Nigel de Jong poked fun of the whole situation.
The Dutchman infamously booted Xabi Alonso in the ribs during the 2010 World Cup final.
And after seeing Griezmann's attempt, De Jong tweeted, 'Where did we see that challenge before', complete with eye emojis.
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