Referee admits Luis Diaz mistake as ex-Liverpool star caught in red card chaos

Luis Diaz was sent off in Bayern Munich's Bundesliga draw with Bayer Leverkusen, with the referee admitting a mistake issuing two red cards during the game

Luis Diaz reacts after being sent off for Bayern Munich against Bayer Leverkusen(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool forward Luis Diaz found himself at the heart of a dramatic encounter during Bayern Munich's Bundesliga fixture.

The Colombian departed Anfield last summer for a permanent switch to the Bavarian club, bringing the curtain down on his three-and-a-half-year stint on Merseyside. On Saturday, Bayern took on Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, with both sides sharing the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate at the BayArena.

Diaz netted Bayern's sole goal, whilst ex-Manchester City midfielder Aleix Garcia found the net for the hosts. Bayern finished with nine men, as Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson received his marching orders following a tackle on Leverkusen's Martin Terrier, who was withdrawn at half-time with what appeared to be an injury.

The controversy surrounding Diaz then unfolded when he picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Garcia in the 74th minute. Roughly ten minutes afterwards, the ex-Liverpool player was handed a second caution for diving after tumbling inside the box, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Yet, in an unusual post-match development, referee Christian Dingert has conceded he erred in dismissing Diaz. "Looking at the footage now, I wouldn't have given that decision," he said.

"During the game, I saw Diaz take off his foot. I didn't notice the subsequent contact with his foot. It goes without saying that I see it differently in hindsight."

Luis Diaz scored and was sent off in a chaotic game for Bayern Munich against Bayer Leverkusen(Image: Getty Images)

The decision was beyond VAR's jurisdiction as it involved a second yellow card, though this regulation is due to be amended.

Diaz received his dismissal and will consequently sit out a one-match suspension for Bayern in the Bundesliga, ruling him out of their home encounter with Union Berlin next weekend.

Vincent Kompany, Bayern's manager, also received a yellow card during the contest, and subsequently elaborated on his pride in his side's display as they secured a draw despite being reduced to nine men for portions of the second half.

"I'm so incredibly proud of the guys' mental effort," Kompany stated on Bayern's official website. "There was so much going on today, so many important phases that we'll have lots of different opinions about.

"That obviously influenced the match. We made a mistake at the start and conceded but were still always in the game. It was a resolute performance by Leverkusen. We needed a lot of patience."

Diaz's strike against Leverkusen marked his 21st of the campaign for Bayern across all competitions since departing Liverpool last summer, and his 15th in the Bundesliga.

The ex-Liverpool forward registered his most prolific goalscoring campaign in a Reds jersey last term whilst contributing to the club's Premier League title triumph, netting 17 goals in all competitions. Diaz will get another chance to increase his goal count in the second leg of Bayern's Champions League last-16 tie against Atalanta next week, with the German side enjoying a 6-1 lead from the first leg.