The Premier League have explained why referee Michael Olivier did not stop the play for a head injury before Manchester United’s opening goal against Liverpool.
United summer signing Bryan Mbeumo gave the visitors the lead inside two minutes at Anfield with a crisp strike past Giorgi Mamardashvili.
There were complaints from the Liverpool team as Alexis Mac Allister went down with a head injury shortly before the goal.
Mac Allister challenged Mbeumo for a header and was inadvertently elbowed by his Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk.
The Argentina international immediately fell to the ground clutching the back of his head but play continued and Mbeumo stunned Anfield with an early goal.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
During Manchester United’s celebrations, Mac Allister was receiving medical attention from two physios and continued with protection around his head.
VAR was unable to intervene given a foul was not committed but referees generally stop the play if a player suffers a head injury.
However, the Premier League match centre indicated to Sky Sports that Oliver had ‘not seen the injury and therefore couldn’t stop the game’.
That explanation surprised Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who said: ‘He was on the floor holding his head… Arne Slot is not happy with what happened with Mac Allister.
‘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.
‘I’m surprised Michael Oliver hasn’t pulled that back with a head injury.’
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock also believes it was a mistake for play not to be stopped.
‘There’s a bit of contention about this goal among the Liverpool fans, they think that there’s a head injury in midfield,’ he said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘Van Dijk and Mbeumo went up for the header, they clashed with Mac Allister and he is being treated by the physios.
‘Mbeumo got up from it and made a lovely run in behind, Van Dijk switches off, Konate can’t get there and he lifts it over the top of the keeper. Brilliant start for Manchester United.
‘Going back to the head injury that Mac Allister received, it was from an elbow by Van Dijk, his own player.
‘That doesn’t matter, play should still be stopped for a head injury. Manchester United won’t care.’
After Manchester United’s early opener, Old Trafford hero Gary Neville said: ‘What a first minute it is for United! The travelling fans are delirious.
‘Mbeumo and Cunha connect. Mbeumo runs round the back of Van Dijk. I don’t think Van Dijk sees him! Mbeumo is like a boxer, off he goes! A stunning start for United!
‘There’s a lot of talk about the United system for obvious reasons. But United caused Liverpool a lot of problems last season because Liverpool didn’t know who was meant to be picking up who.’
Premier League champions Liverpool came into this fixture on the back of three straight defeats, while Manchester United beat newly-promoted Sunderland before the international break.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.