Officials Miss Major Incident in Man Utd vs Liverpool as VAR Faces Backlash for ‘Baffling’ Decision

Liverpool delivered a stunning performance at Old Trafford, dismantling arch-rivals Manchester United to maintain their perfect start to the Premier League season. The match, which ended in a commanding 3-0 victory for the visitors, showcased the gulf in class between the two sides, leaving Manchester United fans disheartened and questioning their team’s prospects for the season.

Luis Diaz was the star of the first half, netting two well-taken goals that gave Arne Slot’s Liverpool side complete control before the break. Diaz’s first came from a beautifully executed counter-attack, while his second was a powerful header that left United’s defense in tatters. These goals firmly set the tone for a dominant Liverpool performance.

In the second half, Mohamed Salah added a third goal, effectively ending any hopes of a Manchester United comeback. Salah’s goal was a testament to Liverpool’s relentless pressure and clinical finishing, leaving United’s defense scrambling and unable to cope.

Despite the comprehensive scoreline, Liverpool could have won by an even greater margin. They created several additional chances but were unable to convert them. On another day, the visitors might have been awarded a penalty, adding to United’s misery.

A controversial moment in the second half saw Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui appear to catch the back of Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo inside the penalty area. Referee Anthony Taylor opted to play the advantage, allowing Darwin Núñez to continue the attack, which ended with a shot wide of the target. However, the incident was not reviewed by video assistant referee (VAR) John Brooks and assistant VAR Harry Lennard, sparking outrage among Liverpool supporters and football pundits alike.

Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor was particularly vocal about the incident, taking to social media platform X to express his disbelief. Mellor shared images of the incident, emphasizing that the contact occurred inside the box and should have led to a penalty. “Referee sees foul on Gakpo and indicates advantage… Núñez shoots wide,” Mellor wrote. “Contact was inside the area… so why hasn’t VAR told him he was right and contact in area so should be a pen? Baffling decision.”

Mellor’s comments echoed the frustrations of many fans who have grown increasingly disillusioned with the inconsistent use of VAR and the perceived uneven implementation of the rules by referees. This latest incident has only added to the ongoing debate about the reliability and fairness of the technology.

While the non-decision did not affect the outcome of the match, it highlighted the broader issue of VAR’s role in the game. Fans from other clubs have also voiced their frustrations, citing similar incidents. Arsenal supporters, for instance, were left fuming on Saturday when Declan Rice received a second yellow card for delaying the restart of play by kicking the ball away—a decision that was technically correct but seemed harsh, especially when Brighton’s Joao Pedro escaped punishment for the same offense earlier in the day.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will look to build on their strong start to the season when they take on Nottingham Forest after the international break. With four wins from four matches, Arne Slot’s team is already emerging as a serious contender for the Premier League title, and their performance against Manchester United has sent a clear message to their rivals.