Michael Owen made it clear that there is ‘no way on earth’ that Alexis Mac Allister should have been sent off during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
The World Cup-winning midfielder was making his home debut for Liverpool and in the second half he was sent his marching orders for a tackle on Ryan Christie.
But former Liverpool striker Owen stated that the Alexis Mac Allister challenge was a ‘yellow minimum’, as he told Premier League Productions (19/08/23 at 5:05 pm).
The on-field referee Thomas Bramall was the one who gave the straight red and then he was backed up by VAR.
At the time of Mac Allister being told to have an early bath, Liverpool were winning 2-1, before Diogo Jota added a third, not so long after, to ensure Bournemouth didn’t come back into the game.
Nonetheless, Owen wasn’t too impressed with the actions towards Liverpool’s £35 million summer signing (Guardian), as his home debut was spoiled.
“It’s a yellow maximum, in my opinion,” said Owen. “There is no way on earth that is a red card.
“There is no force in it. It’s almost like a dangled leg. There is no straight leg ‘I am trying to hurt you here’.
“Even when the red card comes out, Mac Allister looks at the referee and thinks ‘what?!’ He couldn’t see it coming. There is no force, whatsoever. He can’t hurt his opponent. No way is that red.”
Will Liverpool appeal red card?
You would imagine so because it was a pretty poor call by the on-field referee and there was no reckless or aggressive nature to Mac Allister’s tackle.
Decisions like these have been overturned before, and in truth, they are embarrassing for the officials because it proves that the referee got it wrong, and then when it was checked by VAR, who couldn’t even correct it.
Either way, if this red card remains, then Mac Allister will miss Liverpool’s games against Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Wolves.
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