This weekend saw Liverpool run out 2-0 winners over their old rivals Manchester United. The game was nowhere near as close as the scoreline suggested, with one disallowed goal being heavily debated post match. The incident surrounding the VAR decision has led to Manchester United being charged by the FA for failing “to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.”
The Reds went 1-0 up in the game after just 14 minutes when Virgil van Dijk nodded home from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner.
Shortly afterwards Mo Salah looped a ball to David de Gea and the Spanish keeper failed to catch it under challenge from Big Virgil.
Victor Lindelof in turn failed to clear the loose ball, allowing Sadio Mane to setup Roberto Firmino for a fine finish.
VAR overturned the onfield decision, determining Virgil to have fouled the De Gea.
Before the goal was disallowed we saw The Red Devils surround the referee, screaming in his face for him to consult the technology. The United goalie was booked for his protests.
After reviewing the game, Manchester United have been charged by the FA for their players’ actions in the wake of the goal.
What RTK has to say
There can be no surprise that United are facing repercussions for this incident.
The way that the players surrounded the ref was completely unacceptable, particularly given that the official had gotten it right in the first instance.
Peter Walton testified to The Times that the goal should have stood. The reaction of the United players speaks volumes about the intensity of the fixture but also of what it’s like playing Liverpool.
The visitors saw that second goal go in and knew that that was the game. If there was a goal in it until late they would have had some faith that they could have left Anfield with a point, two goals behind and it’s game over.
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