Alexis Mac Allister was given a red card in Liverpool’s second game of the Premier League season
It quickly became clear to viewers of the Community Shield clash between Arsenal and Manchester City earlier this month that the Premier League was going to have a different atmosphere this season.
This match marked the beginning of changes mandated by the game’s legislators to reduce time-wasting, increase ball-playing time, and end the mistreatment of match officials. There has been much attention for verbal abuse aimed at referees, linesmen and fourth officials after fines totaling over £1million were handed down to Premier League clubs for encircling officials and mob clashes.
To address these issues directly, it was decided that players would now be booked for unsatisfactory behaviour, such as waving for a yellow card and running towards and/or around the referee. In an effort to avoid wasting time, goalkeepers or outfield players using such tactics will now be booked immediately, rather than being given an initial warning.
Mikel Arteta felt the full force of this law change in the 17th minute at the Community Shield at Wembley, when he was penalized for requesting a penalty for Rodri after a foul on Kai Havertz. And it didn’t take long for Liverpool to suffer similar consequences.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s expression said it all after referee Anthony Taylor showed him a yellow card in the Reds’ first league game of the season at Chelsea. As a throw-in was taking too long for him, the 24-year-old put his name on the referee list and was visibly surprised by the decision. Later in the match, as the new lead became clear again, Alexis Mac warned Allister for beckoning Taylor to sign a Chelsea player.
A similar scenario played out in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Monday night, when Takehiro Tomiyasu was booked for delaying a throw-in but was sent off seven minutes later for thwarting a counter. -Palace attack.
What is clear is that more cards will be dealt this season than ever before and the stats clearly indicate that will be the case. After two Premier League rounds this season, the referees have awarded an incredible 99 yellows and six reds. At the same stage last season, there were 20 fewer yellow-reds and five fewer red cards.
Discipline has never been an issue during Jurgen Klopp’s tenure as Liverpool manager as he topped the Premier League fair play rankings for five consecutive seasons between 2016/17 and 2020/21. The Reds side could face suspensions and are walking a tightrope.
Any player who collects five yellow cards in the first 19 Premier League games will be automatically banned for one game, which does not apply to other cup competitions. Anyone who receives ten bookings before Matchday 32 could face a two-match ban. So far, four members of the Reds’ first team have been suspended.
Mac Allister was the first Liverpool player of the season to be dismissed for lack of discipline, an issue which has since been resolved, and we have a feeling he won’t be the last.
