Diogo Dalot: Ex EPL Referee Explains Why Manchester United Star Was Sent Off vs Liverpool

• An ex-Premier League official has attempted to make meaning of Diogo Dalot's red card
• The Manchester United full-back was shown two yellow cards in just seconds at Anfield
• Liverpool's Darwin Nunez committed a similar offence in the match but was only booked

The sending off of Diogo Dalot has continued to dominate discussions in the aftermath of the Liverpool versus Manchester United game on December 17.

Dalot was bizarrely red-carded in stoppage time after centre referee, Michael Oliver gave him two yellow cards in quick succession for apparent dissent.

The Portuguese full-back had tangled with Mohamed Salah near the corner flag and thought he had won a throw-in for his side. He was dismayed when he found it had been awarded the other way, with Oliver promptly booking him for protesting.

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He continued with his remonstrations, which ended up with Oliver showing him a second yellow card a few seconds later and giving him his marching orders.

Why Dalot was sent off vs Liverpool

Former Premier League referee, Dermot Gallagher has now attempted to explain Oliver's decision-making process.

"It is a United throw when you look at it again, but I wasn't convinced when I first saw it. But you can't act like Dalot did. It doesn't look good and isn't a good image to be portrayed around the world," he said, as captured by Sky Sports.

Comparisons were also drawn to a Darwin Nunez offence in the first half. The Uruguyuan forward fouled Johnny Evans before booting the ball away.

He was shown a yellow card as he sarcastically applauded the decision. Mohamed Salah also waved an imaginary yellow card, but no action was taken.

"In the current climate, the referee has no choice. I get that United fans will call for Nunez to be sent off, but the referee didn't choose to do it," Gallagher remarked.

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The two sides played out to a barren draw, leaving Liverpool second on the Premier League table with their counterparts in seventh.

Sin-bins to curb dissent?

Sports Brief has previously reported on football law-makers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) considering introducing new changes to how players' abuse of referees is dealt with.

The IFAB is planning to introduce a 10-minute sin bin, popularly used in rugby, to protect referees from abuse. The plan was approved to proceed for trials in lower leagues during the AGM last month.