Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has branded Alexis Mac Allister's behaviour during the defeat to Arsenal a 'joke' and 'embarrassing' after the midfielder appeared to feign injury following a clash with Noni Madueke.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal at Anfield as the Gunners moved to the top of the Premier League table, leaving Liverpool in fifth place. The home side dominated possession, expected goals (xG) and shots, yet failed to register a single effort on target.
Late flashpoint
As Liverpool pushed for an equaliser, tempers flared when Mac Allister sparked a dust-up. Martin Odegaard went down after a challenge with the Argentine, who then shouted at the felled Norwegian and slapped him on the back of the head.
Jurrien Timber took exception, and Madueke squared up to Mac Allister. As their heads briefly met, Mac Allister went down clutching his forehead. The referee and VAR were not convinced, and Madueke avoided any punishment.
Carragher's verdict
Carragher did not hold back in his criticism of Mac Allister's actions. 'I'm delighted he never got sent off there. We have got to be strong on calling people out and saying that this is embarrassing. I can't stand it,' he told Sky Sports.
'I think everybody in the country watching football this head-to-head stuff. If someone puts their head back and butts, of course red card, but this stuff about head-to-head and if someone touches, the other one goes down and the player gets sent off.'
He added: 'As a game, as football, people in the Premier League, supporters, call your own people out for it. I'm a Liverpool fan, that's a joke from Mac Allister but it's got to stop. People are trying to gain an advantage because they know they can because red cards are getting given for it.'
'Whether it's from Howard Webb, the Premier League, the managers get together. This has got to stop. Stop getting red cards for this crap!'
VAR decision explained
The Premier League Match Centre confirmed on social media why no action was taken against Madueke. The post read: 'The referee's call of no violent conduct by Madueke on Mac Allister was checked and confirmed by VAR.'
'VAR: "All of the situations have been checked and cleared. There is some contact as Madueke and Mac Allister square-up. In my opinion, it's not forceful, not violent, not brutal."'
The officials also faced scrutiny for not awarding Liverpool a first-half penalty when Timber pulled Alexander Isak's shirt as the Swede jumped for a header. Iraola told Sky Sports: 'The Alex Isak one is a clear penalty. You hold the t-shirt; we can all see that he holds the t-shirt.'
Asked if Isak should have made more of the incident, the Spaniard said: 'The fact that you are even asking me that he should have gone to the floor, that's the thing. If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty for me. They call the penalty 100 per cent.'
