Liverpool furious after Joris Gnagnon tackles Yasser Larouci during preseason friendly
At least one player may have taken Sunday’s friendly between Liverpool and Sevilla a little too seriously. Joris Gnagnon was given a red card after a brutal tackle of Yasser Larouci.
Gnagnon kicked Larouci in the right leg, sending Larouci tumbling toward the ground. The fall looked painful.
A friendly? 🤔
Sevilla’s Gnagnon shown a straight red for his ridiculous challenge on Liverpool’s Larouci ❌
Tackles have been flying in throughout the match in Boston.#LFC pic.twitter.com/p4gzPYAOf2— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) July 21, 2019
The 18-year-old Larouci was stretchered off the field. Larouci “was lucky” to avoid a serious injury, according to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool was furious about the tackle. Virgil van Dijk and Jordan Henderson confronted Gnagnon after full time.
Liverpool players including Virgil van Dijk and Jordan Henderson confront Sevilla’s Joris Gnagnon after full time 👀
(H/T @FOARsite)#LFCpic.twitter.com/eA4NXOLWLE— GiveMeSport Football (@GMS__Football) July 22, 2019
Following the contest, which Sevilla won 2-1, Gnagnon apologized for the tackle.
— Joris Gnagnon (@Gnagnon_39) July 22, 2019
Sports Illustrated provided a translation of Gnagnon’s tweet.
"I would like to publicly apologise towards Liverpool, the family of the player and its supporters," he wrote. "It was an odious act on my part. Whatever the reason, it’s not what should be seen on a football pitch. All my prayers are with the player and his family."
Sevilla also apologized for the tackle.
———
Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
More from Yahoo Sports:
