Alexis Mac Allister was labelled as “embarrassing” after trying to get Noni Madueke sent off during Arsenal’s win over Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s side went to the top of the Premier League after beating Liverpool 1-0 courtesy of Kai Havertz’s early strike, marking their first triumph at Anfield since 2012.

Liverpool threw everything at Arsenal in an attempt to find an equaliser, and frustration boiled over late on when a scuffle broke out between Reds midfielder Mac Allister and a number of Gunners players.

After Mac Allister appeared to shout at a downed Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard before slapping the back of his head, he was confronted by Jurrien Timber as other players from both sides began surrounding.

Mac Allister then went down dramatically following contact between his head and Madueke’s, something which sparked red card appeals from the Liverpool players.

Replays showed that there was no thrust or intent indicative of a head-butt from Madueke, who was already on a yellow card, and co-commentator Gary Neville lambasted Mac Allister for his reaction.

"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,” he said on Sky Sports.

"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."

VAR examined the incident closely but decided against recommending a red card for Madueke, taking the review no further.

"Well done to VAR because they're recognised that Mac Allister going down is embarrassing,” he said. "He [VAR Stuart Attwell] said that [to Madley], but in a posher way.”

Mac Allister, meanwhile, was shown a yellow card, as was Timber for his part in the confrontation.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said he felt the incident did not warrant a red card for Madueke.

"I've just seen one replay,” he said. “I think a red card has to be more clear movement. It didn't look like a clear red card, no.”

After the match, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher echoed Neville’s sentiment on the outcome of the incident.

"I want Liverpool to win the game, but I'm delighted he [Madueke] didn't get sent off,” he said. “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 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. Whether it's Howard Webb, the Premier League, the managers getting together, this has got to stop."

Daniel Sturridge, another former Reds player turned pundit, also weighed in on Mac Allister’s reaction, saying: "He doesn't headbutt him with any force. It's a coming together and they're both into it.

"He's trying to bait him and that is league wide - that's not just Mac Allister. Every player in world football - that's the game.

"He knew exactly what he was doing and ultimately it didn't work out for him. You tried to bait a man into something and he didn't bite."

Ian Wright added: "The first thing with Mac Allister is the way he goes over. He's actually slapped Odegaard on the back of the head.

"The laws have to do something about this because that [Mac Allister going down] is trying to get someone sent off.

"Common sense prevailed because he [Madueke] didn't push his head into him, he just confronted him and Mac Allister tried to take that advantage to go down."