Liverpool win Alexis Mac Allister red card appeal and he can face Newcastle

Liverpool have successfully appealed the red card Alexis Mac Allister was shown during their 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday and he is available to face Newcastle United.

The Argentina international was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Ryan Christie in the 58th minute of the match at Anfield, though the Reds scored a third goal shortly afterwards and secured all three points despite their numerical disadvantage.

VAR had reviewed the on-field decision by referee Thomas Bramall but opted against sending him to the pitch-side monitor to reconsider the call, having not deemed it a clear and obvious error.

However, the sending off was widely criticised, with both players having their boots off the ground and the challenge not falling into the dangerous category.

Jurgen Klopp branded it a ‘mistake’ afterwards and confirmed Liverpool would look to appeal, with the three-game ban meaning Mac Allister would have missed Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, Aston Villa and Wolves.

But he will now be available for those games, starting with that massive clash at St James’ Park on Sunday, after an independent panel siding with Liverpool.

A statement from the Merseysiders on Tuesday evening read: ‘Alexis Mac Allister will not serve a suspension after a successful appeal against the red card he received during Saturday’s victory over AFC Bournemouth.

‘The Liverpool midfielder was sent off in the second half of the Premier League fixture following a tackle on Ryan Christie.

‘A club appeal against the suspension has now been upheld by an Independent Regulatory Commission, meaning Mac Allister is eligible for selection when the Reds travel to Newcastle United on Sunday.’

A brief statement from the Football Association confirmed: ‘An independent Regulatory Commission has removed Alexis Mac Allister’s three-match suspension following a claim of wrongful dismissal.

‘The Liverpool midfielder was sent off for serious foul play during their Premier League game against Bournemouth on Saturday, 19 August.’

Speaking after the win over Bournemouth, Klopp had said of Mac Allister’s red card: ‘It’s harsh, this shouldn’t have been a red card.

‘It’s a mistake and the punishment of playing 40 minutes with 10 men is already punishment enough. We have to talk to the authorities.

‘There was contact but there is contact in a game all the time. If he gives a yellow card nobody would say, “By the way you need to have another look at that”.

‘The amount of times I’ve already been asked about it shows it is worth discussing again, which we will probably do.

‘I asked Macca and he said he touched him, but not really. If we have a list of points of what you need to give a red card, besides contact there’s no other box ticked.’

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