‘Absolutely idiotic from Xhaka’ – Arsenal star blamed for helping Liverpool comeback

Jamie Carragher has slammed Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka for his scuffle with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold during the pulsating Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday.

The Gunners started the game on a positive note as Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus powered them to a 2-0 lead before the home side recovered and ensured the tie ended in a 2-2 draw.

Just before the halftime break, Xhaka was involved in a scuffle with Alexander-Arnold because he was angry that he did not win a foul. The Swiss international lashed out with his elbow before butting heads with the Liverpool fullback.

Carragher believes Xhaka’s actions triggered an improvement on the part of Liverpool.

"Yeah, I think it did. I mean, it sounds silly, but I’m glad Xhaka did it... But I’m angry with Xhaka," Carragher responded when asked if Xhaka’s action was responsible for the Reds’ dramatic comeback.

"I’m not an Arsenal fan, but if I was an Arsenal fan: what are you doing?! It’s absolutely daft. The game is in your hands, and you get involved.

"Even the challenge, the arm, why do it? And now coming back, head-to-head with Trent, riles the crowd up. Absolutely idiotic from Xhaka to do that."

The retired Red acknowledged Xhaka’s improvement in the season – when Arsenal are leading the title race – but slammed him for the aggression.

"And you know what, he’s been fantastic this season in a slightly different role, higher up the pitch, had a huge influence on this team. But that was going back to the old Xhaka," he added.

"Honestly, who knows whether it led to the goal? We don’t know, but just for an experienced player to do something like that on this ground in the position they found themselves in.