‘It wasn’t a bad foul’ – Liverpool ace Sadio Mane unfortunate to be sent off, says Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne

Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne believes Sadio Mane was slightly unfortunate to be sent off as Liverpool were humbled in a 5-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

Mane was involved in a nasty collision with City goalkeeper Ederson during the first half of the Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon.

MATCH REPORT: Ten-man Reds humiliated as Pep Guardiola's men run riot at the Etihad Stadium

The former Benfica stopper was caught in the face by a high foot from Mane, who was subsequently given a straight red card by referee Jonathan Moss.

But De Bruyne believes Mane was unlucky.

The Belgium playmaker said: "It's not a bad foul, but with the way Eddy comes out of it, it's normal for a red card. If he doesn't have that injury it's probably yellow.”

De Bruyne was sensational against the Reds and claimed two assists as City ran riot at the Etihad.

Liverpool started brightly but it was Sergio Aguero who opened the scoring in the 24th minute after latching onto De Bruyne's pass and rounding Simon Mignolet.

City made the visitors pay after Mane's red card in first-half added time as De Bruyne crossed for Gabriel Jesus to head home from close range.

Jesus then doubled his tally shortly after the break substitute Leroy Sane struck twice in the late stages to complete the rout.

De Bruyne added: "After [the red card] we played really smart, and obviously if you score a few goals it makes it easier.

"We knew it was going to be a very intensive game. They are very strong offensively, and I think the first 20 minutes was going back and forth all the time.

"After the goal we took a bit of control. It was good to score a lot of goals, it's a bit different because they played with 10 men, but it's good for a lot of guys to get another game under the belt."