Controversy Mars Liverpool’s Return to Form as Onana Escapes Red Card in Fiery Clash
Saturday night couldn’t have gone much better for Liverpool — a dominant win, a clean sheet, and the end of a frustrating six-week wait for a Premier League victory.
Mohamed Salah’s landmark 250th goal for the club set the tone, before Ryan Gravenberch added a composed second-half finish to seal a 2–0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield. The result lifted the Reds to third place in the table and restored some much-needed confidence to Arne Slot’s side.
However, not everything about the night pleased the Liverpool boss. A controversial flashpoint involving Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana and Alexis Mac Allister left Slot visibly angered on the touchline — and has since sparked debate across social media.
The Onana–Mac Allister Incident
The incident occurred in the 73rd minute as Villa prepared to take a corner. Amid a crowded penalty area, cameras captured Onana appearing to grab Mac Allister by the neck before dragging him to the ground.
Referee Stuart Attwell immediately stepped in to diffuse the situation but opted to show only a yellow card, despite furious protests from Liverpool players. VAR reviewed the scuffle but chose not to recommend a red-card check — a decision that baffled both fans and pundits.
A Close Call
While few want to see players sent off unnecessarily, Onana could have had little complaint had he been shown red.
Any contact to the neck or head area is typically viewed as violent conduct under Premier League rules, and similar incidents have resulted in dismissals this season.
Mac Allister’s reaction may have appeared exaggerated, but his frustration was justified — particularly given that minutes later, Dominik Szoboszlai and Villa manager Unai Emery were both booked for a minor altercation on the touchline.
Liverpool Stay Focused
Despite the controversy, Liverpool maintained composure to see out the game comfortably. The 2–0 win marked a welcome return to form and provided a morale boost after a difficult stretch of four straight league defeats.
The Anfield crowd erupted at the final whistle, celebrating a performance that blended control, energy, and clinical finishing.
Still, the Onana incident is likely to remain a talking point in the coming days — a reminder that even on a night of triumph, Liverpool’s road back to their best form won’t be without its flashpoints.
