Defend Ali time
If you guys ever look at our forum i do this a lot, he's my favourite player
Totally out of form and needs a rest. He has played 2666 minutes including internationals this season.
For a winger who runs his ass off every game (the one thing all LUFC fans agree with, he works exceptionally hard). The guy must be exhausted. It was him chasing across the pitch that lead to our goal.
He has been targeted this season, he does go down to easily sometimes but he has taken a lot of kickings.
His stats for his first season in England are 5 goals 4 assists, perfectly respectable really. He is also often one of our highest tacklers, doesnt look like a guy who would enjoy that side of the game, but he started as a full back.
Confidence is shot and physically think he is knackered, earlier this season he would run past defenders often, linking with Saiz. But recently with no Saiz he doesnt take people on anymore.
On the tackle.
It was a 50/50 Ali got there first, no malice intended from either player but he did get there first.
Your guy caught him hard (it was a crunching contact) so he missed the ball.
Now, while it wasnt reckless he wasnt jumping in, you could argue excessive force and out of control , which we had Cooper sent off for with far less contact the other week.
Ultimately had he been sent off i dont think an appeal would have worked for the above reasons, however you could see it as a good old 50/50.
Depends on your point of view.
Me I'd have sent him off, but its my player he hurt so I'm biased. You, probably wouldn't have because he is yours and your biased.