Referee Stuart Attwell during the clash between Liverpool and Aston Villa(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has shed light on why Amadou Onana escaped a red card during Liverpool's victory over Aston Villa. The Reds secured a 2-0 triumph over Villa at the weekend to end their losing streak and climb into the top four.

Arne Slot's team had endured four consecutive Premier League defeats before overcoming Villa, and now sit third in the standings ahead of next weekend's encounter with Manchester City. Strikes from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch sealed the points for the Reds at Anfield, though the fixture wasn't without its flashpoints.

The controversy erupted in the second period when Villa midfielder Onana received a booking following a heated confrontation with Alexis Mac Allister inside the Liverpool box during a corner. Television replays revealed that Onana had placed his hands around Mac Allister's neck, prompting referee Stuart Attwell to show the ex-Everton man a yellow card.

VAR reviewed the incident and upheld the on-field decision, meaning no dismissal was handed to Onana. Gallagher has now clarified why Attwell and...