Ex-PGMOL chief blasts Alexis Mac Allister for 'attempting to deceive referee' in Liverpool vs Fulham

Alexis Mac Allister should have been sanctioned for his attempt to buy a penalty during Liverpool's goalless draw with Fulham.

That is according to former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Thomas Bramall failed to act appropriately at Anfield on Saturday, 12 September.

Andoni Iraola's side were held to a draw in front of their home support, seeing them move to seventh in the Premier League table before Monday night's fixture.

In the 75th minute, with the Reds desperate to find a winner, Mac Allister threw himself the floor inside the penalty area, as Calvin Bassey challenged for the ball.

Shouts for a spot-kick were instantly waved away, and many feel that the Argentinian international deserved to be punished for his actions.

Bramall was clearly keen to keep his cards in his pocket, with Kenny Tete the only player to have his name taken, so Mac Allister can count himself lucky.

Alexis Mac Allister under the spotlight vs Fulham

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett was furious with Liverpool's No.10, who had come on as a substitute on the hour mark.

"This is a clear act of simulation; it's exaggerated. Rightly, the referee hasn't bought it," he said.

"But at that point, I think he should have stopped the game and issued a yellow card for an act of simulation, attempting to deceive the referee.

"If referees and match officials take that approach, then we might see a reduction in that type of incident.

"It was exaggerated, it was a dive, simple for the match official, so I'm disappointed that action wasn't taken. The referee said no, so why doesn't he take action?"

Andoni Iraola needs a word with Liverpool star

Mac Allister showed against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League midweek just how important he is to the Merseyside club.

However, with his attempted dive against the Cottagers, plus his borderline yellow card against Atletico, Iraola may need to have a word in the player's ear.

He picked up a caution for a studs-up challenge on Kang-In Lee, but Hackett was certain that a simple caution was the correct decision.

The 27-year-old has been involved in a few reckless incidents recently, and Iraola will want to avoid any further frustrations on the pitch.