Liverpool vs Man United ref watch: Three decisions Michael Oliver got horribly wrong, bad refereeing affected Liverpool…

Liverpool vs Manchester United Referee Analysis: Three Major Errors by Michael Oliver.

Referee Michael Oliver was heavily criticised after a series of contentious rulings altered the outcome of Liverpool’s match against Manchester United at Anfield.

Bryan Mbeumo gave United the lead in the first minute, securing their first back-to-back victory under Ruben Amorim. Cody Gakpo equalised in the second half, but Harry Maguire’s late header secured a key victory for the visitors, bringing them within two points of Liverpool in the Premier League table and relieving pressure on Amorim.

However, Oliver’s officiating was criticised for three major blunders that disrupted the game’s rhythm and fairness.

1. Failure to stop play due to Mac Allister’s head injury.

Before Mbeumo scored, the United attacker collided with Alexis MacAllister in midfield. The Liverpool midfielder collapsed on the ground, holding his head, but the game resumed as Oliver claimed he had not witnessed the incident.

According to the rules, play must be halted promptly to avoid any head injuries. The assistant referee and fourth official both failed to notify Oliver, allowing United to continue its onslaught, which resulted in the opening goal.

2. Controversial Non-Penal Decision Against Diallo

In the first half, Amad Diallo seemed to handle the ball inside the penalty area while blocking a Gakpo cross. While the ball obviously struck his arm, VAR determined that the position was “natural,” hence no on-field review was requested.

However, replays revealed that Diallo had moved his body to make touch with the cross, which may have resulted in a penalty if Oliver had taken another look.

3. Harsh Yellow Card for Diallo’s Sliding Challenge.

Diallo was later charged with a powerful but seemingly legal slide tackle on Gakpo. Though he won the ball cleanly, his follow-through hit the Liverpool forward’s foot, prompting Oliver to issue the game’s first yellow card.

It was Diallo’s third foul, and Oliver appeared to make a cumulative conclusion rather than evaluating the tackle on its own. The booking eventually forced Amorim to replace the winger with 30 minutes remaining.

Despite the issue, Diallo’s overall performance highlighted his increased importance under Amorim, as he signed a new contract last year. Nonetheless, Oliver’s refereeing sparked concerns regarding consistency and communication among Premier League officials.