Bryan Mbeumo scored within 90 seconds as Man United took the lead over Liverpool, with referee Michael Oliver seemingly ignoring Alexis Mac Allister‘s head injury.
Mac Allister was lying prone on the turf when Mbeumo raced between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate to fire in to make it 1-0 at Anfield.
The midfielder had been wiped out by Van Dijk and Mbeumo as the Dutchman initially won an aerial duel, and was clearly clutching the back of his head.
He required treatment, which was permitted immediately after the goal, and continued play with an elaborate dressing over the wound.
They’re trying to us tell us the ref didn’t see him ? pic.twitter.com/BqBzaCLv1f
— sabah (@Sabah07) October 19, 2025
It was subsequently claimed via Sky Sports’ broadcast that the referee did not see the injury – despite visual evidence to the contrary.
Per FA rules, referees are obliged to stop play if a player receives a head injury, but Oliver allowed the game to continue.
The wording of the rules on head injuries explains that any live call over a stoppage would be subjective: “Play is stopped if, in their opinion, a player is seriously injured or receives a head injury.”
But it was very obvious that Mac Allister had suffered a head injury and the decision not to stop play rightly frustrated Arne Slot.
Liverpool’s head coach remonstrated with officials after Mbeumo’s opening goal, pointing to his head, but it was a futile protest.
VAR could not intervene either, meaning United were simply able to take an early lead at Anfield based on a subjective decision – and admittedly poor defending from Van Dijk, Konate and Mamardashvili.
The hosts were later denied a penalty despite Cody Gakpo‘s cross striking Amad Diallo on the arm in the box.
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