Monday 23 February 2015 11:09, UK
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed that Sadio Mane was dropped from the starting line-up against Liverpool on Sunday because the winger was late.
The 22-year-old Senegal international was named on the substitutes' bench after missing the arranged 1pm team meeting time at St Mary's by half an hour.
"He was late for the pre-match," said Koeman following his side's 2-0 defeat to the Reds.
"We have rules, instructions with the players.
"Everybody can be late one day in the morning, but you can’t be late at 1pm when you have to play against Liverpool.
"His explanation is between him and me, but he was too late. I can’t and I don’t accept that. If he has to pay a fine, he pays the fine.
“But the best way to keep the discipline in the team was not to pick him today.”
Despite the result, Koeman felt his side were the better team against Liverpool.
“We know in football it is all about scoring goals and I think we played much better than Liverpool today, we had more possession and chances,” said the Dutchman.
“We were unlucky with some of the referee’s decisions and I think the second situation is a clear penalty to [Filip] Djuricic.
“I am very disappointed about the result, but not our performance. We deserved much more than we got today.”
