Liverpool get new referee verdict on controversial Alexis Mac Allister incident vs Man Utd

Bryan Mbeumo fired Manchester United into the lead at Anfield on Sunday evening, shortly after a collision between Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister

Dermot Gallagher believes Michael Oliver was right to not stop play ahead of Manchester United's opener against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday evening. Shortly before Bryan Mbeumo fired Ruben Amorim's side into the lead, there was an incident in the middle of the pitch.

Bruno Fernandes intercepted a lax header from Virgil van Dijk, who collided with Alexis Mac Allister as he leapt above Mbeumo. The Liverpool midfielder fell to the ground in a heap, but Michael Oliver waved play on.

The United captain quickly sprayed the ball out to Amad, who went on to tee up Mbeumo. Speaking on Sky Sports' Ref Watch show, former Premier League referee Gallagher reviewed the incident.

Gallagher said: "Is there a foul? No, because it's Van Dijk who comes in behind Mac Allister. Michael Oliver assess it and says 'no foul' and play goes on very quickly.

"He's forced to break with it and so is the assistant, so neither see Mac Allister behind them. Within five seconds, the ball is in the net. The first time they see Mac Allister down, the ball is in the net so that's the first time they can go back [and check him]. It's just an unfortunate incident."

After the game, Arne Slot was asked whether he believes the goal should have stood. The Liverpool boss said: "I think the main thing we should do now, I should do now, is not complain, blame or do these kind of things.

"We could have done much better after Macca was on the floor, we should have done better. But the healthcare of a player is something that is important and if a player needs to have four stitches, you would hope that everybody understands that he needs immediate treatment.

"But it didn't happen. But, again, we could have done better, so that's not the reason why we lost this game today - the reason is because we missed far too many chances to win a game of football."

Slot added: "Again, I've said it here many times and I'm hoping that I'm not just saying it to you but everybody understands this a bit better, we are not a team - which I see a lot in football - that goes to the floor pretending it's a head injury so they kill the counter-attack.

"That's not who we are. We never go to the floor, we always are a fair team. So if a player of us is then on the floor you would hope everybody would say, 'It's Liverpool, they don't do these kind of things, so let's blow a whistle.'

"But, again, that's not an excuse for us conceding the goal and that's not an excuse for us losing this game of football."

Gary Neville pinned the blame on Van Dijk, claiming the Liverpool captain should have been better positioned to nullify the attack. Speaking from the gantry at Anfield on Sky Sports, the United legend said: "What a first minute it is from Manchester United.

"I was just thinking about getting to first base, 20 to 25 minutes in, but those United fans are delirious to our left. Amad and Mbeumo connect, and there's something here that's really unusual.

"There's a challenge in midfield where Mac Allister goes down - watch Van Dijk, that's the thing that stuns me. Mbeumo runs off the back of Van Dijk - I don't think he sees him. [Ibrahima] Konate can't get across. But just watch Van Dijk here. The big surprise."

At half-time, Jamie Redknapp agreed with Neville. The former Liverpool midfielder said: "From Man United's point of view, it's brilliant but I think Van Dijk makes a big mistake. He has to sprint back.

"Yes, there was a collision but you still have to think for yourself. You can't pass it onto Konate. You have to sprint back as quick as you can and make sure that run doesn't go in behind you. So fundamentally, they've made a mistake."

Click here to read article