Arsenal picked up all three points in the big game against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday to move to the top of the Premier League table.

Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game, but there were plenty of talking points beyond that solitary goal to keep fans and pundits alike occupied.

Five minutes after the German put the Gunners in front, Liverpool were denied a penalty when Alexander Isak had his shirt pulled in the box, stopping him from being able to connect with Bradley Barcola's centre. Referee Andy Madley did not see it and VAR refused to overrule the decision, causing plenty of anger in the Sky Sports studio and on social media.

Before either of those two incidents, however, there were plenty of suggestions that young Liverpool midfielder Trey Nyoni should have been sent off.

As early as the first minute, Nyoni appeared to put his studs down the back of Martin Odegaard's leg, connecting with his Achilles.

Just 24 hours earlier, Jean-Philippe Mateta had been sent off for a similar offence when sliding in on Tottenham captain Micky van de Ven. However, no card was brandished and VAR did not get involved either, causing plenty of consternation on social media.

Former Premier League referee Graham Barber exclusively told GIVEMESPORT that the incident was different to that of Mateta and that the right call was probably made.

He said: "I think the sending off when we talk about the other one was about the intensity and ferociousness of the challenge.

"I think with this one it was mis-timed. I don't think he meant to hurt the player, but the question you raise is, and we've had this conversation before, do you get consistency from match to match? And sadly you don't, and then we start comparing game incidents in other games.

"It's very difficult to do that and here I thought it was a careless challenge, I didn't think it was reckless."

Later on in the match there was an incident involving Alexis Mac Allister and Noni Madueke, with VAR having to check to see if the Arsenal man had headbutted the Liverpool midfielder, who ended up on the deck.

The incident was checked and cleared by VAR Stuart Attwell and Barber decided to go in on Mac Allister's behaviour.

He added: "I think the only talking point about that is the despicable behaviour of Mac Allister. Not only was it an attempt to get a player sent off who shouldn't be sent off, but then also, instigated a melee of players who potentially wouldn't have got involved in something because of his behaviour.

"Why professional footballers do that I have no idea, so forget the Madueke thing, I just can't understand why a professional footballer would behave like that."