Liverpool had a nightmare start in their game against Manchester United.
The Reds fell behind in the opening minute of the game when Bryan Mbeumo found the right side of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate to slot a strike past the knee of Giorgi Mamardashvili to allow the Red Devils to take the lead.
This goal was indicative of the last three fixtures for Arne Slot’s side, being caught out early and conceding from a defensive error.
However, Mbeumo’s goal was not without controversy, as Alexis Mac Allister was down from a head injury caused by an elbow to his head.
Michael Oliver allowed play to go on despite the Argentine staying down with an injury to his head, which usually means play is stopped, but it was not on this occasion.
The 26-year-old was made to sport a cap on his head following the incident, as he was able to carry on in the first half.
Liverpool fans react to Alexis Mac Allister head injury
It was something which Liverpool fans were not happy about, considering that yesterday one of Arsenal’s counterattacks were stopped for a head injury to Joshua King.
The defending of the goal should have been better but what should have happened is for play to at least be stopped by Oliver.
Fans took to social media to voice their displeasure, with one believing that the referee had looked back at Mac Allister before allowing play to go on.
They wrote: “Ref stared at Mac Allister getting his head clattered and ignored it.”
Another agreed: “‘The referee didn’t see the head injury’.
“Nah. Watch it back. Play moves on, the ref looks back at Mac Allister on the floor holding his head, does nothing.”
It was questioned by others especially the fact that there are multiple officials and VAR to check the incident.
One fan wrote: “Referee didn’t see Mac Allister down holding his head before Man United’s goal
Isn’t that the whole point of multiple officials???”
Many were just left bemused by the choice to keep play going, which ultimately caused Liverpool to go 1-0 down.
“If Mac Allister has been elbowed in the head. How has that goal been allowed to stand?” One posted.
Another wrote: “WHY DID THE REF LET THE GAME PLAY ON WHEN MAC ALLISTER WENT DOWN WITH A HEAD INJURY.”
“Disgusting reffing – didn’t stop the game for a head injury to Mac Allister,” a final fan wrote.
Liverpool need to do better
It has just not been good enough in this first half defensively with Van Dijk surprisingly making the most mistakes this game compared to Konate.
There have been some good pieces of attacking play, but in general, the finishing has not been on point whatsoever.
It could do with a Florian Wirtz cameo to add a bit more creativity and maybe even a change in the backline but Slot needs to sort it out quickly.
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