By Alan Hutton

23rd Aug, 2023 | 12:10pm

Pundit drops 'massive' Liverpool claim after Alexis Mac Allister footage emerges

Alexis Mac Allister should never have been sent off for Liverpool against Bournemouth on Saturday (19 August).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton said regardless of the fact that the decision was overturn, it massively affects the game.

As shown on Sky Sports (21 August) the 24-year-old was shown a straight red card after a collision with Ryan Christie.

The VAR officials stuck with referee Thomas Bramall’s onfield decision.

The Reds have since appealed the decision and it has been overturned with Mac Allister’s three-match ban having been rescinded.

Jurgen Klopp’s side went on to win the game 3-1 thanks to goals from Luis Diaz, Mohammed Salah and Diogo Jota, the third goal coming after Mac Allister’s red card.

But Hutton couldn’t believe the referees got the decision so wrong.

“He [Mac Allister] taps him on the shin, there is no malice there, no force, no real aggression,” he told Football Insider.

“He is not trying to hurt somebody he just got there a little bit late. I do not think it warrants that, I think it was appalling.

“Liverpool appealing it was the right decision. Those kinds of decisions affect games massively, even if the decision is overturned later on.

“Anything could have happened in the game so it is still really annoying for Jurgen Klopp.“

Mac Allister will now be available for the Reds’ trip to St James’ Park to take on Newcastle United on Sunday (27 August).

In other news, Liverpool pull plug on signing midfielder after ‘staggering’ development.