Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott labelled ‘thin-skinned child’ by Spanish media after “absurd” Valencia red card

Liverpool loanee Harvey Elliott faced heavy criticism from Spanish media, including being labelled a "thin-skinned child" by Super Deporte, following a quick-fire red card in Valencia's 2-1 defeat to Villarreal on Saturday. Introduced in the 70th minute, the 23-year-old was shown two yellow cards for dissent by referee Alejandro Quintero Gonzalez just 16 minutes after coming on.

Valencia manager Javier Aguirre called the sending-off "absurd" and "ridiculous" for happening due to dissent, though he publicly accepted responsibility for the incident. Villarreal went on to win the match 2-1 through a 96th-minute goal from Georges Mikautadze, leaving 19th-placed Valencia with just one win from 10 games, while Elliott faces at least a one-match suspension.