Gary Neville strongly criticized Trent Alexander-Arnold after the right-back received an early yellow card during Liverpool’s match against Wolves for an unnecessary action. The incident happened when Alexander-Arnold delayed a free-kick by kicking the ball away, which resulted in a booking just seven minutes into the game.
This early caution forced Alexander-Arnold to play more cautiously for the rest of the match. Commenting for Sky Sports, Neville expressed his disapproval, stating that with the current scrutiny on this rule, referees are vigilant about such behavior. He noted that Alexander-Arnold unnecessarily put himself under pressure.
Neville’s criticism also referenced recent Premier League matches where similar actions led to second yellow cards and dismissals. He pointed out that Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard both received red cards this season for similar time-wasting incidents. Rice was sent off in August for delaying a free-kick, and Trossard faced the same fate last week.
Reflecting on Trossard’s case, Neville remarked on Arsenal’s apparent failure to learn from these warnings, asserting that they couldn’t complain about the decision. He added that Trossard knew the referee’s call when he committed his foul.
Despite Arsenal’s coaching staff initially supporting Trossard, Neville suggested their views might change upon reviewing the incident, possibly seeing it as a lapse in judgment.
Neville’s comments highlight a trend in the Premier League where referees are increasingly strict about delaying restarts, leading to significant consequences for minor infractions. The situations involving Rice, Trossard, and now Alexander-Arnold serve as warnings for players, as small actions can lead to severe penalties.
For Alexander-Arnold, the early yellow card likely impacted his performance, emphasizing the importance for players to adapt to these stricter regulations and avoid unnecessary risks that could harm their teams. As teams adjust to these officiating changes, Neville’s insights remind players of the fine margins that can affect match outcomes.
