Just one minute into Liverpool’s match against Manchester United, Arne Slott was furious after the visitors took an unexpected early lead. Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was left in a heap on the floor holding his head after being involved in a collision with teammate Virgil van Dijk.
The game continued, but summer signing Mbeumo slipped in and the attacker finished deftly to put the Red Devils 1-0 up. The home fans inside Anfield, as well as the manager himself, took their frustrations out at referee Michael Oliver, who allowed the match to continue despite a Liverpool player lying on the ground clutching his head.
Sky Sports pundits admitted after play resumed that Oliver and his assistants did not see Mac Allister go down with a head injury, and that VAR could not intervene as there was no foul in the build-up. However, given the proximity of the incident and the way Mbeumo was being played, an explosion would have been equally controversial.
Former Liverpool star Stephen Warnock agreed with the Reds boss, telling BBC 5 Live: “Going back to the head injury that Mac Allister sustained, it was an elbow from his own player Van Dijk. That’s not the issue. He should be stopped because of the head injury. Manchester United won’t care.”
It is the latest in a growing list of frustrations with officials for Slott, who received a two-match ban for playing against Oliver after the Merseyside derby last season. Everton equalized late on in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, but Slott reportedly told Oliver: “If we don’t win the league, I’m going to blame you (expletive).”
Mr Slott disputed the alleged expletive, instead suggesting: “If we don’t win the league, I’ll make you say thank you.” Unfortunately, the punishment still lingers, and it looks like Slott hasn’t forgotten about the pair’s heated exchange.
Mbeumo’s early goal slowed down Liverpool and the Premier League champions held their breath throughout the first half. They had shots on the wood twice, and both shots were by Kodi Gakpo. He was the only Liverpool attacker to pose a proper threat throughout the opening 45 minutes.
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