Alexis Mac Allister was on the end of a dangerous-looking challenge from Lesley Ugochukwu
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool receives medical treatment during the Premier League match against Burnley
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool receives medical treatment during the Premier League match against Burnley
(Image: Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher believes referee Michael Oliver made the right decision by giving Lesley Ugochukwu a yellow card - and not a red - for his late challenge on Alexis Mac Allister during Liverpool's trip to Burnley.
The incident occurred in the 16th minute when Ugochukwu got the ball in a full-blooded tackle but followed through and caught Mac Allister on the side of his ankle. The Reds midfielder looked in a great deal of pain and was treated by the medical staff before getting up and carrying on.
Despite calls for a red card from the Liverpool fans and players, Oliver was in no doubt but to hand Ugochukwu a caution instead. VAR had another look at the incident but agreed with Oliver's on-field decision.
Reflecting on the incident, Carragher told Sky Sports: "It's the follow through. He wins the ball but it's the follow through. I think if he's six inches higher he's gonna have a huge problem, but it's certainly a sore one for Mac Allister.
"Caught him right on the boot, or the ankle. He plays the ball and he follows through. We saw a red card yesterday, I think the West Ham game, wasn't it? Somebody was at full stretch and just couldn’t get there. Wins the ball and it's just that follow through. Yellow card's the right decision."
Looking to make it four successive Premier League matches at the start of the 2025/26 season, the Reds made a stuttering start at Turf Moor. Arne Slot's side dominated possession in the opening stages but struggled to breakdown a resolute Burnley side, who looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
Throughout the first half, Liverpool had 10 shots but just one of them made it on target. And that came from substitute left-back Andy Robertson, who replaced the struggling Milos Kerkez in the 38th minute, as he darted into the box before getting a shot off but it was comfortable for Burnley's Martin Dubravka.
Mac Allister ended up coming off at half-time, after getting a knock to his ankle, with Conor Bradley coming on his absence. Dominik Szoboszlai therefore moved into midfield in Mac Allister's absence.
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