Liverpool: Klopp refuses to be drawn on Gnagnon's horror challenge on Yasser Larouci

Liverpool's friendly against Sevilla was marred by a shocking challenge on Yasser Larouci that forced the Reds youngster to leave the field on a stretcher in Boston.

Nasty and needless challenge

Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool suffered a late 2-1 defeat to Sevilla, but Sunday's result was overshadowed by Joris Gnagnon's horrendous tackle on Larouci. In a feisty game at Fenway Park, Sevilla substitute Gnagnon, who Lopetegui has been trying out in midfield, was shown a straight red card with 14 minutes remaining after wildly kicking out at Larouci. The 18-year-old required lengthy treatment before being taken off on a stretcher as tempers flared in the United States.

Despite Sevilla's numerical disadvantage, Julen Lopetegui's side were victorious thanks to Alejandro Pozo's 90th-minute winner. It came after Divock Origi had cancelled out Nolito's opener on the stroke of half-time with an emphatic close-range finish.

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Klopp diplomacy

The Reds manager was asked for an update on Larouci's condition and for his thoughts on what turned into an ill-tempered game. However Klopp declined the invitation to accuse the opposition of being heavy-handed. “I don’t want to create headlines by saying the things I think about that situation. Let me say how the situation is with Yasser; it looks like he’s been lucky but, of course, as always with these things we have to wait a little bit. He couldn’t continue playing and that’s not a good sign but in the dressing room he was ok. And the same can be said for Harry [Wilson] – he took a knock on his jaw which affected his eye and that’s not too cool. He should be ok as well. That’s the situation.

“I would love you to write stories about these games without my headlines because whatever I say about it will be the headline of the game", he continued. In general, I don’t like overly-hard games because I think the challenge is there to win the ball, there are rules and I don’t want to talk about this specific game”.

Gnagnon apologies for booting Larouci

Sevilla player Gnagnon took to social media to apologise for recklessly kicking Larouci from behind. "I would like to publicly apologise to Liverpool, the player’s family and the fans. It was a terrible thing for me to do - for whatever the reason and something which should not be seen on a football field. I pray for the player and his family", he wrote.

Larouci is one of several you academy players who Klopp has been looking at during the pre-season and is being groomed to be an alternative to first-choice left-back Andy Robertson.