Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has had his say on the controversial incident in the build-up to Manchester United's opening goal against Liverpool
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher gave his thoughts
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Dermot Gallagher has backed referee Michael Oliver's decision not to halt play ahead of Manchester United's opening goal against Liverpool at Anfield. The incident occurred just before Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock.
Bruno Fernandes intercepted a lax header from Virgil van Dijk, who collided with Alexis Mac Allister while jumping to win a header. The Liverpool midfielder fell to the ground in a heap, but Michael Oliver allowed play to continue.
The United skipper wasted no time and passed the ball out to Amad, who set up Mbeumo for the goal. Reviewing the incident on Sky Sports' Ref Watch show, the former Premier League referee offered his perspective.
Gallagher said: "Is there a foul? No, because it's Van Dijk who comes in behind Mac Allister. Michael Oliver assesses it and says 'no foul' and play goes on very quickly.
"He's forced to break with 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 they can go back. It's just an unfortunate incident."
After the game, Arne Slot was questioned about whether he thought the goal should have been allowed. The Liverpool manager 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.
Alexis Mac Allister was down with a head injury when Manchester United scored
Alexis Mac Allister was down with a head injury when Manchester United scored
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"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 continued: "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 placed responsibility on Van Dijk, arguing the Liverpool skipper ought to have been better positioned to stop the attack. Speaking on Sky Sports from the gantry at Anfield, 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."
During the half-time break, Jamie Redknapp agreed with Neville. The ex-Liverpool midfielder remarked: "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."