Gary Neville says ‘it’s too big for him’ as ref ‘bottles’ Alexander-Arnold red

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    Gary Neville branded Trent Alexander-Arnold “lucky” after avoiding an early red card against Newcastle.

    The Liverpool star was booked just five minutes into the heavyweight clash at St James’ Park. After being sent flying into the technical by Anthony Gordon, Alexander-Arnold reacted by throwing the ball away, which saw him shown a yellow card.

    Then, just a few seconds later as Newcastle tried to break, Alexander-Arnold stopped Gordon in his tracks by throwing out a left arm. The incident had the home bench and fans baying for another yellow, but referee John Brooks kept his cards in his pockets.

    Speaking on Sky Sports commentary, Neville said the Liverpool man would have been sent off had he not just been shown a yellow card, calling him lucky. Neville also suggested that Jurgen Klopp was take the player off to avoid being reduced to 10 men.

    READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk given red card and 'swears at ref' in Liverpool horror show vs Newcastle

    The former Manchester United defender said: "Trent steps out to the left and puts his arm out across Gordon. He's lucky. Would Klopp think about substituting him? It's a cauldron out there. He has sent out [Joe] Gomez to warm up. I'm not surprised at all. It must be a serious consideration."

    Neville also suggested the game was "too big" for Brooks while fans accused the official of "bottling" the decision.

    “Ref has absolutely bottled it, should be gone,” fumed one. Another blasted: “If Trent wasn’t already booked, that’s a booking Should he be sent off based on the 2 offences? No, for the sake of football But that foul should’ve been a second yellow plain and simple and the ref has bottled it.”

    A third said: “The refs bottled it, it has to be a second yellow!” A fourth added: "That’s a second yellow. End of. Ref has bottled."

    However, Newcastle complaints soon turned to celebration as Alexander-Arnold's error let in Gordon, who gave Newcastle a deserved lead. And Liverpool were reduced to 10 men when Virgil van Dijk was shown a straight red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity for a foul on Alexander Izak."

    More to follow.

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