Keith Hackett insists Michael Oliver made the “correct” call, pitting expert opinion against pundits’ fury over a head injury that went unstopped.
The controversial opening goal that set Manchester United on their way to a dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool has sparked a fierce debate, with former FIFA referee Keith Hackett defending the decision to allow the strike to stand.
The incident occurred when Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister was accidentally elbowed in the head by his own teammate, Virgil van Dijk, and lay on the ground as United raced forward to score through Bryan Mbeumo. While Liverpool players immediately surrounded referee Michael Oliver in protest, Hackett believes the official acted correctly.
“Three players challenged in a fair manner for the ball which bounced and put Man United on the attack. They went in to score a good goal,” Hackett stated. He explained that if Oliver did not see the head injury, he was right not to stop play, and the VAR system correctly could not intervene. “Goal scored and correctly allowed,” he concluded.
This expert defense stands in stark contrast to the reaction from stunned pundits. Jamie Carragher voiced his surprise on commentary, noting that referees often stop play for head injuries, while Gary Neville was left baffled by Van Dijk’s defensive lapse that allowed Mbeumo to run free.
Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp further pinpointed Van Dijk’s role, with Redknapp calling it a “big mistake” and Keane questioning why the defender “is getting involved” in the initial challenge. The clash of opinions highlights the fine margins and split-second judgments that can define a high-stakes match, leaving Liverpool to rue a moment of both misfortune and defensive disarray.
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