The Football Association have rejected Liverpool’s attempts to reduce Sadio Mane’s three-game ban on appeal, reports BBC Sport.
Mane was shown a straight red card in Liverpool’s 5-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday after raising his foot and catching goalkeeper Ederson in the face midway through the first half.
The City shotstopper was stretchered off and has since revealed the severity of his injuries, although has escaped any serious harm.
Jurgen Klopp was left incensed by the decision but the club’s appeal has failed and Mane will now miss Premier League matches against Burnley and Leicester, as well as a League Cup trip to the King Power Stadium.
Last season’s title challenge crumbled for Liverpool without Mane available and Klopp will be thankful the Senegal international will only miss league games against Burnley and Leicester.
Since the start of last season, Liverpool have only 41.7% of the Premier League matches that Mane has not started, compared to a significantly better 63.3% when the 25-year-old starts.
