It didn’t take Bryan Mbeumo long to open the scoring for Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils’ summer signing had hit the back of the net against Liverpool within the opening minute of action, in fact, leaving Arne Slot perplexed on the sidelines.
However, one might reasonably wonder why play wasn’t pulled back after Alexis Mac Allister was left in a crumpled heap on the turf.
Alexis Mac Allister head injury should have prevented Bryan Mbeumo goal
We were under the impression that potential head injuries were being taken seriously in the 2025/26 season.
Our Argentine international was spotted collapsed on the pitch after Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk accidentally elbowed his teammate whilst vying with Mbeumo in an aerial duel.
Footage shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Sky Sports clearly shows Mac Allister immobile on the floor, with referee Michael Oliver jogging past as United broke into the final third.
"STAGGERING START!"
One minute on the clock and Mbeumo gives Man Utd the lead at Anfield! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xOtXAcVYgp
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 19, 2025
🍿 Virgil Van Dijk elbowing Mac Allister! pic.twitter.com/jT4NGPzm89
— front page football (@fpfootballx) October 19, 2025
It was a decision that, rather unsurprisingly, left Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher a little stunned: “I think a lot of players have taken advantage of the head injury rule.
“There was a situation in the Arsenal game yesterday where Arsenal were unfortunate when the Fulham player went down and I’m surprised Michael Oliver hasn’t pulled that back with a head injury.”
The former Red noted just earlier on comms: “Arne Slot is not happy with what happened with Mac Allister.”
Further commentary suggested that play hadn’t been paused to allow for appropriate medical checks, as the on-pitch official apparently hadn’t noticed Mac Allister on the floor.
As this screenshot from Sky Sports indicates below, Michael Oliver has an almost clear line of sight:
What is the head injury rule in football?
According to the Premier League’s own guidelines, the referee should stop play the moment a suspected head injury is detected.
This then allows medical staff to enter the pitch to assess the injured player.
Liverpool’s vulnerability exploited against Man Utd
Ahead of the tie between the two Premier League giants, Virgil van Dijk had warned that Man Utd’s recruitment could hurt Liverpool when it came to their top-flight encounter
Lo and behold, summer signing Mbeumo opened the scoring barely a few moments after the opening whistle.
- READ MORE: What Man Utd players did in Anfield dressing room after Liverpool win should scar Arne Slot’s men
That followed a defensive mix-up at the back, with the Dutch skipper spotted pointing to Ibrahima Konate to indicate his French partner should track the marauding United forward.
Evidently, the former RB Leipzig man didn’t quite get the memo, but it’s perhaps an ill-advised decision from Van Dijk a few steps away from the 18-yard box.
Immensely poor from Liverpool at the back, but you could forgive fans for feeling a little frustrated that play wasn’t pulled back for Alexis Mac Allister’s head injury.
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Whatever the reasons for decision all I can say is Slot has managed to destroy a quite successful team left to him by Klop!
Utter shambles so far.
Yes, the comfortable title win and whipping of Real Madrid @Anfield etc., really shows that.
The goal should not have been allowed to stand after MacAllister’s head injury…BOTH referee and VAR failed to correctly interpret the law on this!!
Secondly, Arno Slot picked the wrong starting 11!! This was a huge error on his part….Ekitike, Wirtz, Robertson and Chiesa should have started the game.
Thirdly, as a result the team is not gelling yet bcoz Slot can’t find the right balance. Liverpool WILL LOSE more matches than they will win bcoz of his inept player selection. He is contriving to make a hard effort of it when it should be easy now given his coaching pedigree (or is it overhyped?), AND the quality of players at his disposal, especially in attack!!!
I agree and why would you not start a scouser against United. Jones would have got the fans going earlier and at the moment we need to see the commitment that he shows. Chiesa, Ekitike, Robertson too. They have demonstrated how to do it yet he didn’t start them.
SLOT SHOULD CHANGE HIS LINEUP TO 442
The bottom line for me was we simply needed to score more from the chances we created.
VAR doesn’t play a part in this as no foul was committed, no handball, no offside.
VAR wouldn’t and shouldn’t interpret the actions of a player rolling on the floor.
Not being funny but there’s no clear angle of the alleged wound to his head