Why Manchester United goal stood despite head injury to Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister

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It took less than 70 seconds for controversy to erupt between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield.The away fans were sent into delirium just after the opening minute when Bryan Mbeumo fired the visitors into the lead with a powerful strike that beat Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili at his near post.Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike prediction made by Liverpool legend Ian RushAs Mbeumo and his teammates wheeled off to celebrate, the cameras showed Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister lying on the ground and clutching his head.Whenever a player suffers a head injury, referees have been instructed to halt play due to safety measures.However, referee Michael Oliver did not stop the game as Mbeumo was allowed to race through and score.Although some viewers and fans may have been left puzzled as to why Oliver didn't blow his whistle, Sky Sports commentator Peter Drury soon explained all.Read more football newsWhy was Mbeumo's goal allowed despite Mac Allister's head injury?"The information we're getting from the PGMOL is the referee didn't see the injury so therefore the referee couldn't stop the game," Drury said.Had Oliver seen the incident, he could have paused the game and, as a result, prevented Mbeumo's goal.To compound Liverpool's early woes even further, replays show no foul took place as it was actually a moment of friendly fire that caused Mac Allister to fall down to the turf.As Mac Allister and Mbeumo jostled for a high ball, Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk rose to head the ball away.But in the process of jumping for the ball, Van Dijk elbowed the back of Mac Allister's head.Thankfully, the Argentina international was cleared to continue but had to sport a rather unique look.5Mac Allister was a little worse for wear after he copped an elbow from Van Dijk...Credit: Sky Sports5But was able to continue playing after being tended to by Liverpool's medical staffCredit: Getty5Mac Allister sported a black bandage on his head after receiving treatmentCredit: Sky SportsUpon returning to the pitch, Mac Allister donned protective headgear that looked something a synchronised swimmer would wear.How did the remainder of the contest unfold?Although it was United who got off to a dream start, Liverpool could and perhaps should have equalised.Cody Gakpo's cross took a slight nick off of Bruno Fernandes and clipped the post, with Mohamed Salah's effort on the rebound being saved by Senne Lammens.British record signing Alexander Isak had a golden opportunity to level the score in the 35th minute when he was played in by Ibrahima Konate.However, Lammens managed to divert Isak's effort with his boot, prolonging the Swede's wait for his first league goal this term.Gakpo also came close to turning the ball into his own net late in the first half when he attempted to clear a cross from Fernandes, only for his effort to loop over the bar and land on the top of the net.5Gakpo thought he'd rescued a point for Liverpool...5Only for Maguire to condemn Arne Slot's side to a fourth-straight loss in all competitionsBut there was no mistake for Gakpo at the other end of the field in the 78th minute when he turned home Federicho Chiesa's driven cross from the left to level the score.Read More on talkSPORTUnfortunately for the hosts, there would be one final twist to come via the forehead of Harry Maguire.The England international rose above Konate to power Fernandes' cross home to secure a vital 2-1 win for the visitors.