REFEREE FAVORITES MU: MU – diving experts make every tackle of Liverpool become a foul and every tackle of United becomes a free kick. Anfield rage: Arne Slot “completely lost control” when referee favors Manchester United causing outrage
Anfield has witnessed drama before — but nothing like this. In a night that left Liverpool fans boiling with frustration, head coach Arne Slot was seen shouting furiously on the touchline, slamming his hands into the air as the referee once again blew the whistle… this time for yet another soft foul in favor of Manchester United.
From the very first minutes, the tone was set. A light shoulder challenge from Szoboszlai — foul. A clean interception by Van Dijk — foul. And yet, when United’s midfielders tugged shirts, clipped heels, or delayed the game, play was waved on as if nothing had happened.
“It was unbelievable,” a furious Slot told reporters post-match. “We play football, they play for whistles — and tonight, the whistle loved them more.”
The flashpoint came in the 68th minute when Bruno Fernandes dropped to the ground after the faintest touch from Mac Allister. Before the Liverpool player could even protest, the referee had already signaled a free kick — and warned him for dissent. Moments later, Garnacho went down theatrically near the box. Again, the whistle.
The crowd erupted in boos, chanting “VARpool no more — it’s Man United’s turn!” as Slot struggled to contain his anger. Cameras caught him muttering toward the fourth official, “If they breathe near them, it’s a foul!”
Pundits across the Premier League have since debated the officiating, many calling it “one-sided” and “uncomfortably protective” toward United. Former referees even admitted the pattern was “hard to ignore,” with Liverpool receiving multiple yellow cards for routine challenges while United escaped punishment for similar or worse incidents.
By the final whistle, Slot’s expression said everything — disbelief mixed with resignation. His team had fought, but against an invisible opponent in black.
And as the echo of that whistle faded into the Anfield night, one question lingered among players, pundits, and fans alike: Was this just poor officiating — or something far more deliberate behind the silence of the referee’s decisions?
