Jamie Carragher slams Granit Xhaka for 'idiotic' decision which swung the game in Liverpool's favour

Jamie Carragher has criticised the 'idiotic' actions of Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka during the 2-2 draw against Liverpool this afternoon.

Mikel Arteta's side took the lead in the first ten minutes against the hosts at Anfield through a neat finish from Gabriel Martinelli and looked to be cruising to an easy three points after Gabriel Jesus nodded in a second just 20-minutes later.

However, with the first half dwindling down Xhaka appeared to leave a late bit of contact on right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, which provoked a reaction from both the defender and the home crowd.

Shortly after the altercation between the two players - who were both yellow carded for their involvement in the incident - Mohamed Salah tapped the ball home from close range to reduce the deficit to one goal going into half-time.

Liverpool looked rejuvenated in the second half and with a fired home crowd behind them, they came from behind to secure a point after substitute Roberto Firming levelled the scoreline in the 87th minute.

"What are you DOING?! Absolutely IDIOTIC from Xhaka!" 😬@Carra23 on that Alexander-Arnold and Xhaka CLASH! pic.twitter.com/zE4sxJAQfD

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 9, 2023

Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher criticised the actions of Xhaka and suggested the unnecessary challenge acted as a catalyst to spark a comeback for The Reds.

"I am not an Arsenal fan but i am angry with [Granit] Xhaka," said Carragher. "What was he doing? The game is in your hands and you've got involved. Why do it? It was idiotic for an experienced player to do that at this ground.

"There was only one way Liverpool were getting back into that game and it was with the terraces. Liverpool as a team cannot compete with Arsenal, but with the energy in the stadium they can."

Liverpool dominated from that point onwards and could have won it right at the death, with Aaron Ramsdale pulling off two phenomenal saves to deny Mo Salah and Ibrahima Konate.