JAMIE CARRAGHER CRITICISES ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER OVER ARSENAL CLASH

Liverpool lost 1-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister shouted at Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and tapped the back of his head as he lay on the ground. Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke confronted him, and Madueke's forehead touched Mac Allister, who fell to the ground. Referee Andy Madley booked Mac Allister and Timber but did not send off Madueke, who already held a yellow card. VAR official Stuart Attwell reviewed the contact and confirmed it was "not forceful, not violent, not brutal." Arsenal's win kept them top of the table.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher criticised Mac Allister on Sky Sports, saying he was "delighted" Madueke was not sent off. He said players trying to get opponents dismissed through exaggerated contact needed to be challenged, adding: "It's got to stop, it's ridiculous. I can't stand it." Carragher said a genuine headbutt should mean a red card, but players should not fall down from head-to-head contact to get opponents sent off. Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also criticised Mac Allister's reaction, saying: "He doesn't headbutt him with any force." Sturridge said attempts to provoke opponents happen "league wide" across football.

Carragher called on the Premier League, referees' chief Howard Webb and club managers to address such conduct, saying: "People are trying to gain an advantage because they know they can." He said he wanted Liverpool to win but found Mac Allister's conduct unacceptable, calling it "a joke" that "has got to stop." Mac Allister did not sign a new contract with Liverpool during the summer. Carragher, a Liverpool supporter, said players across the league needed to be held to account for similar conduct.