Noni Madueke was involved in an incident with Alexis Mac Allister during Arsenal's impressive away victory over Liverpool at Anfield
Noni Madueke speaking into a microphone
Noni Madueke has offered his thoughts on what happened between him and Alexis Mac Allister(Image: X/Viaplay)
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Arsenal forward Noni Madueke has accused Liverpool ace Alexis Max Allister of trying to get him sent off. In the second half, Madueke and Mac Allister locked horns as both teams started pushing and shoving each other.
During the exchange, Madueke moved his head towards Mac Allister's, which prompted the Argentine to fall to the floor while clutching his face. The Argentinian was labelled as "embarrassing" by Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher for what they felt was a clear attempt to get Madueke removed from the field.
Referee Andy Madley opted to keep his cards in his pocket, to the relief of both Mikel Arteta and Madueke. After the match, the latter offered an insight into his thoughts on the incident.
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The Gunners forward said: "I don’t think it’s anything whether it's a yellow card or a red card. The referee didn’t think that. VAR didn’t think that. So we all agreed there.
"It's a natural movement. He's obviously clever, he tried to bait me into getting a red card there, but obviously not.
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"In my head I was thinking 'Oh it's possible with VAR it's about whoever interprets it, I don't know what they're thinking. But thankfully it wasn't."
Liverpool's Argentinian midfielder #10 Alexis Mac Allister (C) clashes with Arsenal's Dutch defender #12 Jurrien Timber (3R) and Arsenal's English midfielder #20 Noni Madueke (R) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 1, 2026
Madueke and Mac Allister butted heads in the middle of the pitch(Image: AFP or licensors)
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After the match, Carragher and Neville both laid into Mac Allister's antics. Neville said: "I don't think Mac Allister needs to go down like that but there's a little nudge with the head.
"A little inch forward can cost you a lot. Mac Allister's reaction is a bit over the top, I can tell you that. Get up. Embarrassing.
"It's Mac Allister's fault because he slaps Odegaard when he's down which is unnecessary. It's the little movement forward of Madueke's head they're looking at. I hope they don't go for a red card for it."
Ezri Konsa and Declan Rice of Arsenal react towards Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool on the floor during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on November 1, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom
Mac Allister's reaction left Carragher furious(Image: 2026 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
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Carragher was also frustrated with Mac Allister's controversial action, saying: "I want Liverpool to win the game, but I’m delighted he [Madueke] didn’t get sent off. We have really got to be calling people out and saying, ‘this is embarrassing’.
"It’s ridiculous and it’s got to stop. I can’t stand it. If someone puts their head back and butts, then it’s a red card. But if it’s head-to-head and they touch, the other one goes down and the player gets sent off, as a game, call your own people out on it.
"It’s a joke from Mac Allister and it’s got to stop. People are trying to gain an advantage because they can and red cards are being given for it."