Why Man City's Manuel Akanji was sent off vs Brighton but Liverpool FC star Ibrahima Konate wasn't for similar foul

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has explained why Manuel Akanji was sent off for Manchester City against Brighton despite Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate avoiding a red card for a similar challenge against Everton.

Gallagher compared the Akanji incident with what happened in the Merseyside derby. The former Borussia Dortmund centre-back was given his marching orders for two bookable offences at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

However, Konate was spared that treatment when he tripped Everton striker Beto while on a yellow card. Konate was soon taken off by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

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Speaking about Akanji's dismissal and comparing it to Konate's reprieve earlier in the day, former Premier League referee Gallagher told Sky Sports show Ref Watch: "Consistency is individual. Rob Jones is consistent as he yellow-carded him [Akanji] early, quite rightly, and does so here [for the second booking]. We've all agreed Konate's should have been a second yellow card."

When asked if the pressure of the game at Anfield could have influenced referee Craig Pawson, Gallagher replied: "You would hope not. The guy is put there because of his CV as he's the best man for the job on the day, that's how the appointments are done."

On the Konate error, Gallagher added: "Very lucky. There's a few things - it's so cynical, he doesn't make any attempt to play the ball. Craig's argument might be that he wasn't going to get the ball, but Konate knew what he was doing.

"What summed it up was a minute later when they subbed him. That tells you the story."