The reason why Manchester United’s controversial opening goal against Liverpool wasn’t disallowed has been explained.
⚽ Controversy at Anfield: Fans Furious After Play Continues Despite Mac Allister Head Injury Before United Goal
On Sunday, Liverpool hosted Manchester United in one of the Premier League’s most anticipated fixtures of the season — and the match has already sparked controversy.
Heading into the clash, much of the pre-match discussion centered on Rúben Amorim’s team selection, with Benjamin Šeško surprisingly left on the bench despite scoring in his previous two outings. However, the Portuguese coach quickly silenced doubters when Bryan Mbeumo gave United a shock early lead at Anfield — just minutes into the game.
But the goal has not come without debate. Many fans and pundits have since questioned why play wasn’t stopped moments before Mbeumo’s strike, as Alexis Mac Allister appeared to suffer a head injury in the build-up.
Replays show the Argentine midfielder was accidentally struck by Virgil van Dijk’s elbow while the pair challenged for the ball near midfield. Under current Premier League concussion protocols, referees are encouraged to immediately halt play for any suspected head injuries.
However, match official Michael Oliver allowed play to continue, later claiming he did not see the incident occur. Seconds later, Mbeumo raced clear of the Liverpool defense and slotted home to give United the lead — a moment that left Anfield stunned.
Following the goal, Mac Allister received on-pitch treatment and was later cleared to continue, returning to action with protective headgear after a brief medical assessment.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was visibly frustrated on the touchline, seen speaking with the fourth official about Oliver’s decision not to intervene.
That frustration was echoed online, as fans shared screenshots suggesting that Oliver appeared to have a clear view of the collision but chose not to stop play.
While Mac Allister’s recovery eased immediate concerns, the incident has reignited debate about referee discretion and player safety — especially in high-intensity matches where momentum often overshadows medical caution.
The incident quickly ignited outrage across social media, with fans accusing referee Michael Oliver of negligence for failing to stop play despite the apparent head injury.
One supporter wrote:
“Ref ‘didn’t see’ the fact Mac Allister had a head injury despite being on the floor holding his head.”
Another added:
“If Michael Oliver can’t see a player lying on the floor holding his head, after being clattered right where the ball was, he shouldn’t be allowed to referee.”
Even members of the media weighed in, with The Athletic’s James Pearce describing the decision as “astonishing,” tweeting:
“Wow, Michael Oliver with a strong contender for worst decision of the season. Mac Allister brought down, FK goes the other way.”
The collective backlash highlights growing frustration with officiating standards in the Premier League, particularly when it comes to player safety and head injury protocols.
Liverpool supporters argued that allowing play to continue directly influenced the buildup to United’s opening goal — a moment that could prove decisive in such a high-stakes rivalry.
While Mac Allister was able to continue after treatment, many are calling for clearer guidelines and stricter enforcement to ensure such situations are handled more consistently in the future.
