VAR Controversy Erupts as Liverpool Denied Foul on Mac Allister in Costly 2-1 Defeat to Manchester United
In a stunning twist at Anfield, Liverpool were left furious after a clear foul on Alexis Mac Allister went unpunished during their 2-1 loss to Manchester United — a decision that has sparked one of the most heated VAR controversies of the Premier League season.
The flashpoint came early in the match, just moments before United’s opening goal. Mac Allister appeared to suffer a dangerous head challenge in midfield, but referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue. Without a VAR review or stoppage for a potential head injury, United pressed forward and scored, leaving Liverpool players and fans in disbelief.
As the game wore on, frustration grew on and off the pitch. Manager Jürgen Klopp and several players voiced their anger at the officiating, with the Anfield crowd responding in kind. When the final whistle blew, outrage exploded online, with supporters calling the decision “a disgrace” and accusing the VAR team of failing in its core duty to protect players and ensure fairness.
Sources close to the VAR operations later admitted that the incident involving Mac Allister should have been reviewed — an admission that has only intensified public criticism. Analysts across the football world have questioned how such a blatant oversight could occur in a league that prides itself on technological precision and player safety.
The fallout has been immediate and far-reaching. Calls for accountability are growing, with demands for the Premier League and PGMOL to launch an official investigation into the refereeing decisions. What began as a thrilling rivalry clash has turned into a full-blown officiating scandal — one that has overshadowed Manchester United’s victory and reignited debate over VAR’s reliability.
With emotions still running high, this controversy is far from resolved. The Premier League now faces mounting pressure to restore trust in its officiating system. For Liverpool, however, the sense of injustice lingers — and the echoes of that missed foul on Mac Allister may be felt long after the final whistle.
