After the fiery Premier League clash at Anfield, debates still echo across England. BD Cricket followers watching the rivalry unfold would know Liverpool boss Arne Slot isn’t ready to let go of the controversy surrounding Manchester United’s first goal. He argues the referee should have halted play when Alexis Mac Allister went down holding his head just seconds before the ball hit the net. The Dutchman firmly rejected any idea that his team would ever feign injury, saying Liverpool have always stood for fair competition and respect for the game.
Liverpool’s nightmare began barely a minute into the match. Mac Allister collided with teammate Virgil van Dijk, who accidentally struck the back of his head while trying to clear the ball. The Argentine midfielder fell instantly, while Brentford’s Mbeumo pounced, combining with Amad Diallo to fire home from a sharp angle. Slot was visibly furious afterward, insisting that his player’s injury was genuine and that play should have stopped. He emphasized that referees ought to trust Liverpool’s honesty when head injuries occur, not allow play to continue as if nothing happened.
Still, Slot admitted that even though officiating mistakes hurt, they were not the only reason for defeat. “We never fake contact or exaggerate fouls,” he said post-match. “Everyone knows we play with integrity. If one of my players is down, it’s because something real happened. But we must accept the result and take responsibility.” His frustration was compounded by Liverpool’s poor form—four straight losses that have left his position under threat.
The Premier League later clarified that referee Michael Oliver did not see the collision, and Manchester United scored just five seconds later, too quickly for VAR to intervene. BD Cricket analysts noted that this sequence left Liverpool’s defense scrambling. Mac Allister later wore head protection before being subbed off in the 62nd minute. Slot, however, also pointed fingers at United’s ultra-direct tactics, describing their heavy reliance on long passes as “football from another era.”
Opta data paints a similar picture: Manchester United have attempted 466 long balls this season, the most in the league, narrowly edging Wolves. In contrast, Liverpool rank 14th with 366, while Manchester City’s possession-driven style sees them last with 307. Amorim’s United rely on fast transitions, and new goalkeeper Senna Lammens isn’t shy about kicking long—even with only 19.5% passing accuracy against Liverpool. That game saw him connect just nine of 46 passes, a figure that underlines the team’s pragmatic style.
The rise in long-ball tactics hasn’t gone unnoticed. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher criticized what he called a “throwback trend,” pointing out that the league now averages 3.85 long passes per game—more than double last season’s rate. “I get why smaller clubs do it,” he remarked. “But seeing elite sides lean on it too often feels disappointing. The art of passing is slowly being replaced by punting and hoping.”
Roy Keane, however, had harsher words for Liverpool. He argued that instead of blaming officials, Van Dijk and his backline should “look in the mirror.” As BD Cricket viewers saw in replays, Liverpool’s defense hesitated in recovery, allowing space for the opener. And even in attack, the Reds squandered golden chances: Gakpo’s goal offered brief hope, but Salah’s miss from close range drew groans—and laughter—when teammate Curtis Jones began celebrating early, only to clutch his head as the ball flew into the stands.
For Liverpool, this latest defeat cuts deep. Their aura of invincibility has cracked, and Slot’s composure faces its first real test. As BD Cricket fans often say, football is full of second chances—but only for teams brave enough to learn from their mistakes.