Rio Ferdinand claims Alexis Sanchez was “stupid” to give the referee a decision to make, after his contentious red card effectively ended Inter Milan’s hopes of knocking Liverpool out of the Champions League.
Inter actually won the second leg 1-0, but were unable to find the second goal with the Reds winning 2-1 on aggregate and keeping their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple alive.
Inter had got themselves back in the tie on the hour mark when Lautaro Martinez halved the arrears with a stunning strike into Alisson’s top corner.
With Anfield stunned, the Italian champions looked as if they could provide a real grandstand finish.
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But less than a minute after Martinez’s goal, the former Manchester United forward was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card.
Sanchez was lucky to escape a straight red in the opening 45 minutes when he caught Thiago high up on the shin with his studs up.
However, he used up his nine lives when he was given a second caution after his follow through caught Fabinho when he was lunging for the ball.
United legend Ferdinand felt that while the decision to send off Sanchez may have been harsh, the Inter forward was silly for giving the referee a decision to make when already on a yellow.
"I think the red card ended Inter’s hopes,” Ferdinand told BT Sport. "They did well to get back into the game and played better football over the two legs. They just lacked the final ball and cutting edge."
On the incident which produced the second yellow, he added: “He’s won the ball, you can’t tell me he shouldn’t try and win that ball, look how low his leg is.
“He’s bringing his leg away, in slow motion like that it makes it look worse than it is.
"He’s actually going to win the ball, he’s stupid for giving the referee the chance to make a decision, but it’s harsh. Yes, it’s a foul, but I don’t believe it’s a yellow."
The defeat was Liverpool’s first in 2022 and was their first loss in front of their own supporters since last March when they were beaten by Fulham.
Speaking immediately after the full-time whistle, Mohamed Salah hinted that the defeat could help refocus the dressing room as they now go in search of more Premier League points in their title battle with Manchester City.
But Ferdinand warned that momentum at this point of the season is vital and the performance could yet add an element of doubt as they go in search of an historic trophy haul.
“When I look back on my time playing, momentum was massively key at this stage of the season and anything that can start throwing doubts into your minds as individuals or as a team isn’t what you need,” he explained. “You need full throttle confidence.
"There were elements in the game today from an offensive standpoint and off the ball that you say ‘that’s not the Liverpool I’ve come to expect.’
“What is a bonus for them is that they’re still in the tournament, and in the hat for the next round. I thought Liverpool would go through anyway, but in much more comfortable fashion."
