Alexander-Arnold handball: Should the Liverpool right-back have seen a red card after Newcastle’s goal?

Newcastle United‘s equaliser in their Premier League match with Liverpool was fraught with drama, as Christian Atsu hit home following a goalmouth scramble.

The major point of contention was a perceived handball, as Trent Alexander-Arnold made a goalline block which hit him on the arm.

The Newcastle fans in the ground appealed for a penalty, but were immediately placated with a goal. As a result, it was only after kick-off that the ramifications of the rebound were discussed and the point was made in commentary by Jamie Redknapp that Alexander-Arnold was lucky to avoid a red card.

Manchester City fans in particular may feel that the right-back should have been penalised for the offence.

Here is what happened.

The incident

"Trent Alexander-Arnold is lucky there as 1-1 is the best thing that could happen to Liverpool in this situation."

Should Trent Alexander-Arnold have seen red?

Watch live on Sky Sports Premier League or follow in-game clips and highlights here https://t.co/CMq8tfkq3o pic.twitter.com/qhm7SjHWIA

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 4, 2019

Matt Ritchie’s cross into the area found Salomon Rondon, who shot. The ball hit into Trent Alexander-Arnold, defending on the line, in the arm as he jumped.

Christian Atsu scored on the rebound to equalise for Newcastle United.

What the rules say

When assessing a handball the FA’s laws on the matter state that the following must be considered:

the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an offence

In the case of Alexander-Arnold’s, his arm is in a position to the body natural as to trying to jump and deflect the ball with his leg. However, his arm possibly moved towards the ball which must be considered.

If it is considered that Alexander-Arnold committed an offence, then he was clearly denying a goal scoring opportunity in his own penalty area, which means he should see a red card. However, Atsu scored an equaliser immediately after, and the referee Andre Marriner took no action.

Given he did not have time to indicate advantage before the goal went in, it’s hard to say whether he could have blown up for a penalty after the goal. After the goal stands, he cannot issue a retrospective red card for any offence that is not violent conduct.

However according to Ifab laws, it appears in this instance the ball could have entered the goal and the referee could have issued Alexander-Arnold a caution.

So, Trent Alexander-Arnold should have been booked, not sent off.

That's what it seems to suggest in the Ifab laws, anyway. pic.twitter.com/UCyifAyfH1

— James Sharpe (@TheSharpeEnd) May 4, 2019

Reaction

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In commentary on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher argued that Newcastle may have preferred a penalty and a red card to a goal, saying Alexander-Arnold was “lucky” to get away with a goal.

However, it does not matter what the Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles may have indicated he preferred as he cannot influence the referee’s decision.

No, Jamie. There is no red card if a goal is subsequently scored. #newliv

— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) May 4, 2019

Now correct me if I’m wrong here but I thought the referee could not play advantage on a red card offence. I thought he had to stop play and issue the red card? So surely it should have been a penalty and a red card for Alexander-Arnold? @FA @premierleague #NEWLIV

— Eddie Clarkson (@Eddiec1) May 4, 2019

In my humbly biased opinion the ref should have let the goal stand and sent Trent Alexander-Arnold off anyway for blatant cheating

— Andy Castell (@AJ3) May 4, 2019

Law is clear in this situation. Goal awarded and yellow card for deliberate handball. Cannot understand why Alexander-Arnold not cautioned. https://t.co/HW64vvirxu

— Ref Watch (@RefereeWatch) May 4, 2019