Premier League to Contact Liverpool Over Rule Breach During Man United Clash
Arne Slot’s Liverpool suffered their fourth straight defeat in all competitions, losing 2-1 to fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield. To make matters worse, reports suggest the Premier League is set to contact the club over multiple breaches of its multi-ball system regulations.
The Reds, who now sit third in the table, were hoping to bounce back after the international break but fell behind just two minutes in when Bryan Mbeumo capitalised on a defensive lapse from Virgil van Dijk and beat Giorgi Mamardashvili. Cody Gakpo equalised late on, but Harry Maguire’s superb header in the closing stages sealed victory for United.
Liverpool’s frustration didn’t end with the result. According to reports, the club could face disciplinary action for incidents during the match where ball attendants were seen throwing the ball directly to Liverpool players in an effort to speed up play — a clear violation of Premier League rules.
The regulation, introduced in 2022, allows for multiple balls to be placed around the pitch on tees so players can quickly restart play themselves. However, ball boys and girls are not permitted to hand the ball directly to players, nor are coaches allowed to assist. Arne Slot was also seen throwing the ball to one of his players, further breaching the rule.
During the closing moments of the match, two balls were also spotted on the pitch at once, adding to the controversy. While the rule was initially designed to quicken the pace of the game, the Premier League has repeatedly warned clubs not to exploit it.
Aston Villa were fined £125,000 earlier this season for similar infringements, though Liverpool are not expected to face financial punishment — only a formal reminder of the regulations.
Despite United officials noticing the issue, they did not lodge a formal complaint, and both Liverpool and the Premier League have declined to comment on the matter.
Liverpool’s next five fixtures:
22 Oct: Eintracht Frankfurt (A) – Champions League
25 Oct: Brentford (A) – Premier League
29 Oct: Crystal Palace (H) – League Cup
1 Nov: Aston Villa (H) – Premier League
4 Nov: Real Madrid (H) – Champions League
