Jamie Carragher has criticised Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for appearing to try to get Arsenal winger Noni Madueke sent off during Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Anfield.
The incident came during a heated exchange involving Mac Allister and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. The Liverpool player shouted at Odegaard before striking the back of the midfielder’s head as he lay on the ground.
Mac Allister then went to ground himself after Madueke’s head made contact with his. Carragher accused the former Brighton player of attempting to reduce Arsenal to 10 men.
“I want Liverpool to win the game, but I’m glad Madueke wasn’t sent off,” the 48-year-old Liverpool great told Sky Sports.
Carragher said players should be held accountable for trying to influence refereeing decisions in such situations.
“We really have to criticise people and say to them: ‘This is embarrassing’,” he added, as reported by The Sun.
“This is ridiculous and it has to stop. I can’t stand it. If someone moves their head back and headbutts their opponent, that deserves a red card.
“But if it is face-to-face contact and there is contact, the other player goes down and gets sent off, then in the game, other players have to be held accountable for that.”
The result gave Arsenal a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the Premier League fixture at Anfield.
