Anthony Gordon and Alexis Mac Allister side-by-side
Credit: Imago
Harri Burton
Sat 31 January 2026 20:51, UK
Anthony Gordon and Alexis Mac Allister disrespected each other and the game, as Liverpool and Newcastle United clashed at Anfield.
That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Simon Hooper was spot on not to get involved in the duo’s altercation on Saturday, 31 January.
Just moments after Jean-Clair Todibo was sent off against Chelsea, there was yet more controversy in the Premier League, with Arne Slot wanting Gordon punished for lashing out at the Reds’ No.10.
In the eighth minute, Slot was absolutely furious after Mac Allister went to ground clutching his chest, and while replays showed clear contact, Hackett was buying none of it from either player.
Simon Hooper right to ignore ‘nonsense’ incident at Anfield
Gordon was shown red in the last meeting with Liverpool, landing studs on the Achilles of Virgil van Dijk, but the England international was hardly at risk of facing a similar fate on this occasion.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “Anthony Gordon‘s clash with Mac Allister is frankly nonsense, and two players showing a lack of respect for each other and the game.
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“There is no need for Gordon to push his opponent, and the reaction of Mac Allister, I can only judge that he was trying to get his opponent sent off. Referee Hooper did well not to react to the incident.
Anthony Gordon in action for Newcastle
Credit: Imago
“The incident did not meet the threshold for a red card, so Hooper was right not to intervene.”
‘Pantomime villain’ Anthony Gordon eventually gets his punishment
Described as the “pantomime villain” at Anfield by Lucy Ward [TNT Sports], Gordon would eventually be shown a yellow card, but not for this altercation with Mac Allister.
In an attempt to close down Alisson, the 24-year-old went crunching into a challenge on the goalkeeper, leaving the Brazilian in a pile on the floor, earning himself a guaranteed caution.
Of course, Alisson’s teammates wanted a much harsher punishment, but with the player having every right to attempt a block, Hooper decided to keep the pot from boiling over at Anfield.
Jacob Ramsey would also have his name taken just before the half-time break, but up until the whistle, the referee had done a good job of keeping everyone level-headed.