Carragher condemns Mac Allister’s attempt to get Madueke sent off

Jamie Carragher has criticised Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister for appearing to try to get Noni Madueke sent off during the Reds’ 1-0 defeat by Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.

The incident came during a heated exchange involving several players. Mac Allister shouted in the face of Martin Odegaard before striking the back of the Arsenal captain’s head while he was on the ground.

Moments later, Mac Allister went to ground after Madueke’s head made contact with his. The Liverpool midfielder’s reaction appeared to suggest that the Arsenal winger had committed an offence that should result in a red card.

Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, was strongly critical of Mac Allister’s behaviour and his attempt to reduce Arsenal to 10 players.

“I want Liverpool to win the game, but I’m glad Madueke was not sent off,” the 48-year-old Anfield great said on Sky Sports.

“We really have to criticise people and say to them: ‘This is embarrassing.’”

Carragher added: “It is ridiculous and it has to stop. I cannot stand it.

“If someone moves their head back and headbutts an opponent, that deserves a red card.

“But if there is face-to-face contact and the other player goes down and gets someone sent off, then, in the game, those players have to be held accountable as well.”

The defeat was Liverpool’s result against Arsenal at Anfield, with the London club securing a 1-0 victory. Mac Allister, a former Brighton player, was at the centre of the main flashpoint despite there being no red card for Madueke.

Carragher’s comments, as reported by The Sun, focused on the wider issue of players exaggerating contact in an effort to influence refereeing decisions. His criticism was aimed at the Liverpool midfielder’s reaction rather than at the original confrontation alone.

The match also included the involvement of Odegaard, Arsenal’s captain, during the initial dispute, after Mac Allister confronted him and made contact with him while he was lying on the pitch. Madueke was then involved in the later exchange that led to Mac Allister falling to the ground.

Liverpool and Arsenal’s next listed Champions League fixtures are on 04 November 2026. Liverpool are scheduled to face Slavia Prague, while Arsenal are due to play Fenerbahce.