Carragher slams Mac Allister 'embarrassing' act in Madueke clash
Jamie Carragher did not hold back after Liverpool's defeat to Arsenal at Anfield, branding Alexis Mac Allister's role in the game's biggest flashpoint as nothing short of a disgrace, despite being a Liverpool fan himself.
Arsenal won at Anfield for the first time since September 2012, with Kai Havertz's first half goal proving decisive. But the closing stages were dominated by a confrontation between Mac Allister and Noni Madueke that sparked fierce debate about simulation and gamesmanship in the Premier League.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
Mac Allister started the incident by slapping Martin Odegaard on the back of the head while the Arsenal captain was down on the ground following a foul, a moment that also drew a reaction from Jurrien Timber. Madueke, already on a yellow card for an earlier foul on Bradley Barcola, then became involved in an altercation with the Argentine, who fell to the ground clutching his face.
Referee Andy Madley initially let play continue before VAR official Stuart Attwell reviewed the incident. Attwell determined it was not a headbutt, and both Timber and Mac Allister were booked rather than Madueke being sent off.
Carragher's fierce criticism
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher launched into a passionate condemnation of the episode, calling for the footballing authorities and the players themselves to put a stop to such incidents.
“I wanted Liverpool to win the game, but I'm delighted he [Madueke] never got sent off there,” Carragher said. “We have really got to be strong calling people out and just saying, ‘this is embarrassing’. It's got to stop. It's ridiculous. I said it a couple of weeks ago with a similar sort of thing, I can't stand it. 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, as a game, as football, people in the Premier League, supporters, call your own people out for it. I'm a Liverpool fan. That is a joke from Mac Allister. It's got to stop. People are trying to gain this advantage because they know they can. Because red cards are getting given for it. Whether it's from Howard Webb [chief refereeing officer for PGMOL], the Premier League, the managers get together, stop getting red cards for this crap.”
Gary Neville was similarly critical on commentary, describing Mac Allister's behaviour as “embarrassing”.
A flashpoint in a landmark win
The incident ultimately did not change the outcome at Anfield, with Arsenal holding on for a result that ended a 13 year wait for victory at the ground. But the reaction from two respected voices in English football, including one of Liverpool's own former captains, highlights growing frustration with theatrical reactions to minor contact being used to try to influence officials.
As reported by George Flood of the Evening Standard, the comments from Carragher add further weight to an ongoing debate about simulation in the Premier League, one that looks set to continue in the coming weeks.
