Arsenal winger Noni Madueke has accused Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister of trying to incite his dismissal during the match at Anfield.
The Argentine fell to the ground, clutching his face, after a slight head movement from his opponent. Referee Andy Madley did not issue a card, and Gary Neville sharply criticised Mac Allister's behaviour.
In the second half, a confrontation occurred between the players, involving players from both teams. Madueke leaned his head slightly towards Mac Allister, after which the latter fell to the ground.
The referee saw no grounds for punishment, and the video assistant referees also did not recommend reviewing the incident.
Madueke: “He tried to provoke my dismissal”
After the match, the Arsenal player explained that he did not consider his movement a foul warranting a card or dismissal.
I don’t think there could have been a yellow or red card here at all. The referee didn’t think so, and VAR didn’t either. So we all agree on that.
It was a slight movement. He is certainly a cunning guy and tried to provoke me into a red card, but it didn’t work.
At that moment, I thought: “With VAR, anything can happen; it all depends on who interprets the incident and how. I don’t know what goes through their minds.” But fortunately, it was fine.
Neville called Mac Allister’s reaction disgraceful
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville acknowledged that Madueke made a head movement but deemed the Argentine's fall excessive.
I don’t think Mac Allister needed to fall like that, although there was indeed a slight head movement.
Even a couple of centimetres forward can be costly. But Mac Allister’s reaction is clearly exaggerated, I can tell you that. Get up already. It’s disgraceful.
Mac Allister is at fault because he hit Odegaard with his arm while he was on the ground. That was totally unnecessary. The referees reviewed only Madueke’s slight head movement. I hope red cards aren’t shown for that.
