Liverpool boss Arne Slot was left fuming after Michael Oliver's decision not to stop play for a head injury in the build-up to Manchester United's opening goal
20:30, 19 Oct 2025
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Arne Slot was furious about Bryan Mbeumo's opening goal(Image: Michael Regan, Getty Images)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot declined to offer his players 'excuses' despite Michael Oliver's controversial decision not to stop play for a head injury in the lead-up to Manchester United's opener during their dramatic 2-1 win at Anfield.
United stunned the hosts by taking the lead within 63 seconds through Bryan Mbeumo's finish. Yet Liverpool were incensed that Oliver failed to blow his whistle, with Alexis Mac Allister sprawled on the ground after taking a knock to the back of his head in a collision with team-mate Virgil van Dijk.
Oliver appeared unaware of the Liverpool midfielder clutching his head on the pitch, allowing play to carry on.
The Premier League Match Centre clarified that since Van Dijk was responsible for the contact with Mac Allister, no foul could be awarded and VAR was powerless to step in. The decision rested entirely on Oliver's interpretation of events.
Following the match, Slot was questioned about both the goal and a first-half penalty appeal for handball that the official dismissed. However, the Reds boss chose to concentrate on his side's lacklustre display, as Liverpool endured their fourth straight loss.
Alexis Mac Allister
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Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool received treatment for a head injury
"If you lose a game of football, especially after you have lost four, maybe you should have the emotion in the game," Slot responded. "But I should not talk about that in that moment of time. No excuses.
"We've had more than enough chances to score a goal when we didn't need that penalty. Yes or no. I don't want to talk about that. We had so many chances, we need to score more. And if you are 1-1 and the game is completely there for you and you have to defend one set piece, then we have to defend it better than we did.
"This is something we have to work on. And there's emotion in the game about decisions. Every manager has this. But I will not talk about this."
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Van Dijk gave his take on the incident: "I think the ball went long, first header was a United player, second by me. My elbow hit the player and he goes down and I went down.
"That angle it was difficult to score and he did. There was plenty of football left to be played [and score] and we didn't.
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"We need to stay humble and stay working and keep our confidence as high as possible. When things get tough, it is important we keep the mentality of being there for each other. It is a long season."