Gary Neville has criticised Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, calling his reaction 'embarrassing' after a VAR incident during the match against Arsenal.
Mac Allister appeared unhappy with Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, seeming to tap the Norwegian on the head. Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke then challenged the Liverpool player over his actions. Madueke went head-to-head with Mac Allister, who ended up on the ground, but the Englishman avoided punishment. Both Timber and Mac Allister received yellow cards, while the video assistant referee checked and cleared the incident.
Neville's Verdict on Mac Allister
Neville offered little praise for Mac Allister's response, saying: "I don't think Mac Allister needs to go down like that but there's a little nudge with the head. A little inch forward can cost you a lot."
He added: "Mac Allister's reaction is a bit over the top, I can tell you that. Get up. Embarrassing."
Neville continued: "It's Mac Allister's fault because he slaps Odegaard when he's down which is unnecessary. It's the little movement forward of Madueke's head they're looking at."
VAR's Private Comments Revealed
Neville relayed what he heard from the VAR on commentary: "He [the VAR] said that, but in a posher way."
Stuart Attwell was at Stockley Park as the video assistant referee. In a transcript published by Premier League Match Centre, Attwell concluded that Madueke's conduct during the confrontation was neither forceful nor violent.
He said: "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."
Match Outcome
Kai Havertz's strike on 16 minutes proved the decisive moment as the Premier League champions returned to the summit of the table. Liverpool applied pressure on the hosts, with Mac Allister's first-half header representing their finest opportunity, yet he could only direct it over the bar.
The Gunners set about frustrating the hosts in the second half, remaining defensively stubborn to prevent Liverpool from forcing David Raya into a single save throughout the entire contest. The Reds had a compelling penalty appeal waved away after Timber appeared to restrain Alexander Isak, hindering his attempt to head a Bradley Barcola cross towards goal.
Liverpool will end the weekend outside the top four following Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Manchester United, which propelled Xabi Alonso's side into the Champions League positions.
