Gary Neville did not hold back in his criticism of Trent Alexander-Arnold during Liverpool’s encounter with Wolves after the right-back received an early yellow card for an unnecessary act. The incident occurred when Alexander-Arnold, having conceded a foul, was penalized for delaying the restart by kicking the ball away. The decision led to Wolves being awarded an early free-kick, and as they prepared to take it, Alexander-Arnold lightly poked the ball out of play, resulting in a booking inside the first seven minutes of the match.
This early yellow card placed Alexander-Arnold in a precarious position for the rest of the game, forcing him to tread carefully to avoid further disciplinary action. Commentating on the match for Sky Sports, Gary Neville voiced his disapproval of the defender’s actions. “Given the amount of attention surrounding this rule right now, referees are closely watching for this type of behavior,” Neville remarked. “Trent Alexander-Arnold has needlessly put himself under pressure.”
Neville’s critique came in light of recent Premier League matches where similar offenses have led to second yellow cards and subsequent dismissals. Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard were both shown red cards in separate matches this season after engaging in similar time-wasting tactics. In August, Rice was sent off for delaying a Brighton free-kick at the Emirates Stadium. Just last week, Trossard faced the same punishment after kicking the ball away in Arsenal’s draw against Manchester City.
Reflecting on Trossard’s situation, Neville commented on Arsenal’s failure to heed the warnings from previous incidents. “They’re not learning from these situations,” Neville said. “I don’t think Arsenal can complain. Trossard doesn’t have a leg to stand on in this case.”
Neville further explained that Trossard had been fully aware of the referee’s decision when he committed the offense. “It’s a clear foul—he barges into Bernardo Silva—and then proceeds to kick the ball away. The whistle had already gone, and he knows it because he hesitates just before kicking it,” Neville observed. “He doesn’t fully follow through, but the intention is clear.”
Despite Arsenal’s coaching staff, including Mikel Arteta, initially showing support for Trossard on the sidelines, Neville suggested that their views might change after reviewing the incident. “They were embracing him during the game, but when they look back, they might see it as a moment of stupidity,” Neville remarked. “I think they’ll be disappointed with Trossard once they reflect on it.”
The broader context of Neville’s comments highlights a growing trend in the Premier League where referees have begun to strictly enforce rules against delaying restarts, with players facing harsher consequences for seemingly minor infractions. The incidents involving Rice, Trossard, and now Alexander-Arnold serve as cautionary tales for players across the league, as even the smallest gestures can lead to game-changing punishments.
For Alexander-Arnold, the early yellow card meant he had to be extra cautious for the remainder of the match, something that likely affected his overall performance. Neville’s criticism underscores the need for players to adapt to these tighter regulations and avoid unnecessary risks that could harm their teams.
As Premier League teams continue to adjust to the stricter officiating, Neville’s observations serve as a reminder of the fine margins that can influence the outcome of matches. For players like Alexander-Arnold, learning to manage these situations better could be the key to avoiding similar pitfalls
in the future.