Hackett shock: Disasi ‘should have walked’ v Liverpool for Mac Allister clash
Keith Hackett can’t believe referee Craig Pawson’s reaction after Aston Villa defender Axel Disasi struck Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that there was “clearly force” that sent Mac Allister to ground, and VAR should have intervened.
Liverpool were looking to avoid another slip-up in their title push, when they faced off against Villa on 19 February.
The Reds took the lead in the 29th minute, after a mistake from Andres Garcia who was left out of Aston Villa’s Champions League squad, allowed Diogo Jota to set-up Mohamed Salah for an easy opener.
However, Villa would fight back, with goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins giving the Villains a lead going into half-time, before a Trent Alexander-Arnold leveller in the second half.
Prior to the goals, an incident between Disasi and Mac Allister caught the attention of Pawson, who showed the French defender a yellow card for lashing out at the Argentine midfielder, with VAR clearing the decision.
Axel Disasi lucky not to see red for strike on Alexis Mac Allister
In the 22nd minute, the two players were jostling for space as Villa were about to send a corner into the box.
The grappling on display was nothing out of the norm, until Disasi swung his body around, catching Mac Allister in the face, sending the former Brighton man tumbling to the ground.
When asked by Football Insider about the incident, ex-PGMOL chief Hackett was in disbelief:
“I really don’t get it. If you strike, or attempt to strike an opponent, as Disasi did against Mac Allister, then that is a red card offence.
“There was clearly force, Mac Allister went to ground pretty quickly, so where was VAR? Because Craig Pawson, I’m sorry, you got that decision wrong.
“You were too lenient, that player should have walked.”
Liverpool struggle against Aston Villa as title-pressure grows
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been linked with a move to Al-Hilal, and the Egyptian opened the scoring against Villa with a simple tap-in, in the 29th minute.
However, following the goal, the Merseyside side looked second-best to a resurgent Villa side, who scored two deserved goals.
The Reds are chasing a first league title since 2020, and the weight of expectation seems to have become a burden, as they struggle to maintain their early season form.
| Premier League standing | Games Played | Points |
| 1. Liverpool | 26 | 60 |
| 2. Arsenal | 25 | 53 |
| 3. Nottingham Forest | 25 | 47 |
| 4. Man City | 25 | 44 |
If Liverpool fail to turn around their 2-1 deficit against Villa, Arsenal will have the opportunity to cut the Red’s lead at the top of the table to just four points.
Liverpool saw manager Arne Slot sent off after the Merseyside derby, and Curtis Jones was returning from suspension for also receiving a red card against Everton.