Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has now reacted to one ‘controversial’ moment from Manchester United’s stunning 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
Ruben Amorim has seen the club secure back-to-back Premier League wins under his reign as Manchester United manager for the first time since his appointment.
United defeated Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford ahead of the October international break before the Red Devils visited Anfield for their huge clash with Liverpool.
The Red Devils took the lead in only the second minute of the tie after Amad Diallo picked out Bryan Mbeumo, who slotted the ball in the back of the Liverpool net.
Following Bryan Mbeumo’s first-half opener, United maintained their lead over Liverpool before the defending Premier League champions finally rallied back.
Cody Gakpo netted the equaliser for the Reds in the 78th minute, but Harry Maguire stepped up and scored United’s winner against Liverpool only six minutes later.
Dermot Gallagher’s clear-cut verdict on a major Liverpool vs Man Utd call in the Premier League clash at Anfield
Manchester United seized on the opportunity with their first-half opener after Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister went down with what appeared to be a head injury.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk wiped out Alexis Mac Allister as he attempted to clear the ball, with Bryan Mbeumo sandwiched between the pair during the incident.
Mbeumo scrambled to his feet and Virgil van Dijk switched off on the United summer signing, with the former Brentford star pouncing at the right time in the final third.
The 26-year-old Cameroon international beat Giorgi Mamardashvili from close range, but Mac Allister remained down during United’s opener against Liverpool.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Ref Watch, Dermot Gallagher insisted that Premier League referee Michael Oliver made the right call by not deeming the challenge a foul.
“Is there a foul? No, because it’s Van Dijk who comes in behind Mac Allister,” he said.
“Michael Oliver [assesses] it and says ‘no foul’ and play goes on very quickly.”
Dermot Gallagher on Michael Oliver after Alexis Mac Allister went down due to Virgil van Dijk’s challenge in Liverpool vs Man Utd
Gallagher added that neither Michael Oliver nor his assistant was able to immediately pick up on Alexis Mac Allister’s injury due to United’s response.
“He’s forced to break with it and so is the assistant, so neither see[s] Mac Allister behind them,” he continued.
Gallagher explained: “Within five seconds, the ball is in the net.
“The first time they see Mac Allister down, the ball is in the net, so that’s the first time they can go back [and check him]. It’s just an unfortunate incident.”
Joint-third Liverpool are now only two points clear of ninth-place United in the Premier League table after the Reds’ third consecutive league defeat this season.
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