Sevilla defender Joris Gnagnon has apologised after his "heinous" kick at Yasser Larouci which led to him being sent off during a very physical 2-1 pre-season win over Liverpool.
Gnagnon was shown a straight red card for a horror tackle on Larouci, chasing the Liverpool youngster before wildly lunging and kicking him up in the air.
Larouci was stretchered off the field of play, leaving Jurgen Klopp furious. However, Klopp said after the game that it appears the 18-year-old was "lucky" and avoided serious injury, though a further assessment will reveal the full extent of the damage.
Gnagnon later apologised on social media: "I would like to publicly apologise to Liverpool, the family of the player and the supporters.
"It was a heinous act on my part for whatever reason and should not be seen on a football field.
"All my prayers are with the player and the family".
Asked for specifics on the Larouci injury, Klopp added: “He hit him full throttle and, in that moment, [if it was] a little bit different position where he hit him then it's done. He rolls… he is a sports boy so that was OK, nothing happened there.
“I don't know 100 per cent. It looks like he was lucky but I only spoke quickly to the Doc and that's what he said, but we have to see."
Would have dropped Gnagnon if I was on the pitch. That’s trash. What a coward. Hope Larouci is ok. #LFCpic.twitter.com/de2G4ebvqp — C. Coy (@coachcoy23) July 21, 2019