Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Sunderland gave rivals Manchester United the chance to close to within five points of Jurgen Klopp’s men.
All they had to do was beat West Ham – and that task got even easier 15 minutes into the game when Mike Dean sent off Sofiane Feghouli for this 50-50 challenge on Phil Jones.
The Sofiane Feghouli red card after a challenge on Phil Jones. Harsh from Mike Dean. [via @UllalIBT] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/rwTl7ERqDD
— RedMancunian (@RedMancunian) January 2, 2017
Liverpool legend John Arne Riise was watching, and the 2005 Champions League winner was outraged. He tweeted his displeasure, calling for Dean to be cut from future games.
Mike Dean is finished! So so so bad! He gets worse and worse every week. Take the whistle from him please!
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) January 2, 2017
He wrote: “Mike Dean is finished! So so so bad! He gets worse and worse every week. Take the whistle from him please!”
Riise may still be reeling from last month’s Merseyside Derby when Everton midfielder Ross Barkley got away with a much worse tackle, which could have seriously injured Jordan Henderson.
Mike Dean had sent off four players, shown 63 yellow cards and given 10 penalties in 14 Prem games before today.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though.
Mike Dean 16-17:
? 10 penalties
? 5 red cards
? 3 no look yellows
? 2 dummies
? 1 no look kick-off? Box. Office. pic.twitter.com/KE0yUzLTyC
— bet365 (@bet365) January 2, 2017
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Everybody makes mistakes, also refs.All the players want is a ref you can speak to, who admits his mistake and have a little smile. Not hard
— John Arne Riise (@JARiiseOfficial) January 2, 2017