‘Oliver got it wrong’ – Ex-PGMOL chief bemoans one ‘poor decision’ in chaotic Merseyside derby

The Merseyside derby at Anfield between Liverpool and Manchester United descended into chaos, and former PGMOL chief refereeing expert has publicly criticized Michael Oliver for what he calls a “clear mistake.”

According to the ex-official, Oliver erred by not awarding Liverpool a penalty after a handball by Manchester United’s Amad Diallo in the first half. “It was a poor decision that affected the flow of the game,” the former FIFA referee stated, adding that Oliver’s judgment was questionable in the early stages of the match.

The controversial moment occurred just 18 minutes into the match, following a previous contentious decision when Liverpool fell behind. Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo scored past Giorgi Mamardashvili after an incident involving Alexis Mac Allister, who had gone down following contact with Virgil van Dijk.

The Premier League clarified afterward that Mbeumo’s goal stood because referee Oliver did not notice Mac Allister on the ground, a decision that puzzled fans and pundits alike. On commentary, Peter Drury explained that the goal was permitted as Oliver “simply missed Mac Allister lying on the field.”

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher criticized the call sarcastically, saying, “He was on the floor holding his head!” He added that the rules usually stop play for injured players, and Oliver’s choice to let the game continue seemed inconsistent.

Meanwhile, Gary Neville focused on Virgil van Dijk’s role in the goal, remarking that the Liverpool captain failed to track Mbeumo, who capitalized immediately. “The major shock was Van Dijk losing sight of him,” Neville explained, highlighting defensive lapses that compounded the controversial refereeing.

Soon after, Liverpool believed they deserved a penalty for Amad Diallo’s handball, but VAR upheld Oliver’s on-field decision. The Premier League Match Centre stated that the player’s arm was in a natural and justifiable position, meaning no clear error occurred according to current rules.

The Reds entered the match on a streak of three consecutive losses in both the Premier League and Champions League, making the controversy even more critical for team morale. Fans feared the result could widen the gap at the top of the table, especially after Arsenal’s victory at Fulham.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot protested vigorously, arguing that the decision was inconsistent and unfair. The manager expressed frustration at the lack of uniformity in officiating standards, particularly in high-stakes games such as the Merseyside derby.

The incident has reignited debate over refereeing in the Premier League, with fans and pundits calling for greater transparency and accountability. Many are now asking for VAR communications to be released publicly, ensuring clarity in critical match decisions.

As Liverpool look ahead, the result leaves them four points behind Arsenal, while scrutiny on referees and VAR continues to dominate conversations among supporters and analysts alike. The Merseyside derby will be remembered as much for the controversial officiating as for the football itself.

The Premier League has promised an internal review of the officiating, though it remains unclear whether any corrective measures will be announced. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely in the coming weeks to see if lessons are learned from this tumultuous match.