Why Michael Oliver sent off Diogo Dalot against Liverpool

Manchester United earned themselves a point at Anfield after they drew 0-0 against Liverpool in the Premier League.

Despite Manchester United earning a point at the ground that they lost 7-0 to Liverpool last season, most of the post-match focus has been on the sending off of Diogo Dalot.

Erik ten Hag’s right-back won a throw-in in the final moments while defining against Mohammed Salah, but referee Michael Oliver awarded Liverpool the throw-in, thinking that the final ball had come off Dalot instead.

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Dalot was sent off through two yellow cards within seconds of each other, with an explanation for the decision below.

Dalot’s first yellow card was handed to him due to his initial reaction to the decision. Dalot was deemed to have dissented towards the referee, criticising his decision, which is a common rule. Although Dalot may have been vindicated in his reaction, this is not out of the ordinary for referees.

What is strange is the decision that came after. After Dalot was handed a yellow card, he threw something to the floor in pure frustration with the yellow card, all in the same action as what saw him he handed the earlier card.

Oliver, for an inexplicable reason, seemingly decided that this second outburst of frustration was directly aimed at him, despite the fact that it was not aimed in his direction at all, and gave Dalot a second yellow card, resulting in a red.

Even with this reasoning, it is hard to believe that such a decision was made. It is currently unclear whether United will appeal the one-match ban.

“If I say something about that…well I’ll leave it,” Ten Hag said on the red card at full-time. “Maybe you can do it (say something about it).”