Jamie Carragher has insisted the incident between Granit Xhaka and Trent Alexander-Arnold played a part in the turn of momentum in Arsenal's 2-2 draw at Liverpool.
The clash came with the Gunners 2-0 up after goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. Xhaka seemed to react to not being rewarded a free-kick by chasing down the defender before lashing out at the England international.
Alexander-Arnold reacted to Xhaka's initial contact by pushing the Arsenal midfielder before the two squared up to each other. Referee Paul Tierney showed both players a yellow card before Mohamed Salah halved the deficit a minute later.
READ MORE: What Gabriel Jesus accused Liverpool of doing to Jurgen Klopp in touchline rant
Arsenal's lead vanished late in the contest when substitute Roberto Firmino headed Alexander-Arnold's cross into the net. The hosts were unlucky not to win the game late on with Aaron Ramsdale denying Salah and Ibrahima Konate in injury-time.
And after the game, Carragher slammed Xhaka's antics in the first half and insisted the moment of madness played a part in the Anfield crowd stepping up their intensity. "I think it did [get Liverpool going]. It sounds silly, I'm glad Xhaka did it but I'm angry. I'm not an Arsenal fan but if I was an Arsenal fan, what are you doing?
"It’s absolutely daft. The game’s in your hands, you get involved - even leading the challenge with the arm, why do it?" the former Liverpool man continued. "And now going back head-to-head with Trent riles the crowd up and it’s absolutely idiotic from Xhaka to do that.
"Do you know what? He’s been fantastic this season in a slightly different role higher up the pitch, had a huge impact on this team, but that was going back to the old Xhaka.
"Honestly, who knows if it leads to the goal, we don’t know, but it was just for an experienced player to do something like that in this ground, and the position they found themselves in, there was only one way Liverpool could get back into that game and that was with the help of the terraces. If that was just a football game, Liverpool right now can’t compete with Arsenal, but with the energy in the stadium they can and they almost lost the game."
Following the entertaining draw on Merseyside, Alexander-Arnold provided his account of the incident. "I think a little bit of fire in a game like that, there’s nothing wrong with it," he told Sky Sports.
"I think that shows the intensity and how both teams want to win. I think he’s obviously ran into me, nudged me off the ball and it’s a natural reaction. Could have got the crowd going but we matched it with the football and the intensity as well so it worked hand-in-hand, the last five to 10 minutes in the first half we were all over them and came out and done the same in the second half."
READ NEXT:
Gary Neville highlights 'interesting' Mikel Arteta Arsenal tactic amid Liverpool complaints
Arsenal to wave goodbye to club icon as Mikel Arteta takes aim at Premier League title
Arsenal departure confirmed as Newcastle United hand Edu task after statement released
Latest Arsenal injury news as three players to miss Liverpool amid William Saliba hint
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: William Saliba injury update, Departure confirmed, Sow pursuit
