Reason Man Utd’s Opening Goal at Liverpool Was Allowed to Stand Revealed

The highly charged encounter between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield took an early controversial twist after Bryan Mbeumo fired the visitors ahead. Fans inside the stadium and millions watching around the world were left questioning how the goal was allowed to stand, especially after Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister went down with a head injury in the buildup. Now, the reasoning behind the referee’s decision has finally been revealed — and it’s causing quite a stir.

The tension was already palpable before kick-off, with this clash being one of the Premier League’s most anticipated fixtures of the season. Manchester United, under Ruben Amorim, arrived looking to make a statement against their historic rivals. However, Amorim’s decision to bench Benjamin Šeško — despite the striker scoring in his previous two outings — had sparked plenty of debate among fans and pundits alike.

But it took just a few minutes for Amorim to silence the doubters. Bryan Mbeumo, who has become one of United’s most electric performers this season, capitalized on Liverpool’s defensive lapse to slot home the opening goal. Yet, moments before the goal, chaos ensued as Alexis Mac Allister appeared to suffer a head knock, leading many to believe play should have been stopped immediately.

Replays showed Mac Allister being caught accidentally by his own captain, Virgil van Dijk, during an aerial duel with a United forward. The Argentine fell to the turf clutching his head while play continued. According to the Premier League’s safety guidelines, referees are instructed to halt play immediately for any potential head injury — but in this instance, referee Michael Oliver chose not to intervene.

After the goal went in, Liverpool players protested, pointing towards Mac Allister still on the ground. Arne Slot, visibly frustrated on the touchline, confronted the fourth official, questioning why the game had not been paused. The referee’s decision stood, however, and Mbeumo’s goal was allowed to count.

In the aftermath, Oliver reportedly told Liverpool players that he “did not see” the incident involving Mac Allister, hence why he did not stop the play. That claim has since been met with outrage from both fans and pundits, especially given how close the referee appeared to be to the action when it happened.

Following a brief delay, medical staff rushed onto the pitch to treat Mac Allister. After an on-field assessment, the Argentine was cleared to continue, returning to play with protective headgear — a precautionary measure to prevent further injury. His determination to continue earned him applause from the Liverpool faithful, but the frustration over the decision continued to ripple through the stands.

Social media soon erupted, with fans expressing disbelief. One supporter wrote: “Ref ‘didn’t see’ the fact Mac Allister had a head injury despite being on the floor holding his head.” Another fumed: “If Michael Oliver can’t see a player lying on the floor holding his head after being clattered, he shouldn’t be refereeing at this level.”

Prominent journalists also joined in the criticism. The Athletic’s James Pearce described the decision as “a strong contender for worst of the season,” slamming the referee for awarding a free kick against Liverpool moments after the collision instead of stopping play. Many argued that even if Oliver missed the initial contact, VAR officials should have intervened given the seriousness of a head injury.

Despite the controversy, Manchester United took full advantage of the early momentum, controlling possession and frustrating Liverpool for much of the first half. Amorim’s tactical setup — pressing high and transitioning quickly — once again proved effective, while Liverpool struggled to find rhythm amid the early drama.

The Premier League has since clarified that under current rules, play can only be stopped at the referee’s discretion unless there is a clear and immediate danger to a player. Because Oliver did not witness the incident and VAR cannot overrule for potential head injuries, the goal stood as valid. It’s a loophole that has reignited the debate about how player safety is prioritized during high-intensity matches.

As the game continued, emotions ran high at Anfield, but the controversy surrounding Mbeumo’s opener overshadowed much of the action. Regardless of the final result, the debate over this decision will likely continue long after the final whistle, adding another heated chapter to the fierce rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool.