It’s the hope that kills you. After a spirited second-half fightback at Old Trafford, Liverpool fans were left with a familiar, bitter taste in their mouths following a 3-2 defeat that felt as much about the officiating as it did the defending.
While the history books will show a Manchester United victory, the post-match conversation has been dominated by one man and one moment: Benjamin Sesko and the 14th-minute “handball” that wasn’t.
Despite clear visual evidence suggesting the ball brushed the Slovenian’s arm before he bundled it past Freddie Woodman, the goal was upheld after a lengthy VAR review that left head coach Arne Slot incandescent on the touchline.
The Premier League has since broken its silence, citing a “lack of conclusive evidence”, a phrase that is becoming a haunting refrain for the Reds this season.
Slot didn’t hold back at the final whistle, launching an impassioned rant against what he perceives as a “pattern” of VAR interventions going against his side. But, with the dust settling on a chaotic afternoon in Manchester, Liverpool must now pivot from anger to action.
With Chelsea arriving at Anfield next, the mission is simple: secure the final four points needed to lock in Champions League football and ensure this controversial setback remains a footnote, not a defining chapter, of the campaign.
The final scoreline read 3-2 to the Red Devils at full-time, meaning this second goal, which came on the 14th minute mark, was crucial in Michael Carrick’s side’s quest to pick up three points.
After this goal, Liverpool showed some much-needed resilience and fight, as Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo attempted to spearhead a second-half comeback.
But, it was all in vain, as Kobbie Mainoo capitalised on a poor clearance by Alexis Mac Allister, when the clock ticked down to the 77th minute mark, to rifle home a stunning winner for the hosts late into the action-packed affair.
Liverpool fans were rightly incensed at the full-time whistle with the poor performances from many of their senior personnel, with Mac Allister doing his short-term chances of staying put no good at all, with his weak showing throughout.
There was also plenty of irritation on Liverpool’s end when it came to Sesko’s second goal being bundled home, as looking back, it does appear to strike the Slovenian’s hand, before heading into the back of the net.
Slot, at the full-time whistle, exploded when talking about the incident, stating: “It’s no surprise to anyone that if there is a VAR intervention, then the decision goes against us. It’s happened to us all season.”
On Match of the Day, Newcastle great Alan Shearer also admitted that he believed that the ball did hit Sesko on the hand, before he beat Freddie Woodman.
Liverpool have been on the receiving end of some dubious calls all season long, but the Premier League has now clarified why United’s second of the match did, indeed, stand, despite lengthy VAR checks.
Premier League’s explanation for the Sesko goal
Ultimately, irrespective of the controversial nature of the number 30’s goal, Liverpool should be dealing with the build-up to Sesko’s strike much better, as United are allowed far too much space and time to carve out an opening.
Slot also blasted his team’s defending, post-match, during his impassioned VAR rant, as the Premier League – via their Match Centre Account – offered their own reasoning for United’s second goal of the day standing.
The X Account stated, right after the 14th-minute goal was allowed to stand: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed there was no conclusive evidence that Sesko handled the ball before scoring.”
Citing ‘no conclusive evidence’ for a handball as the reason the goal stood, there must be some regrets now that United’s second of the afternoon wasn’t overturned, looking back, after the split-second decision was made, as it’s clear – outside of the fast-paced nature of the match – that Sesko does use his hand to his advantage.
Slot’s men will need to ensure that they dust themselves down quickly for the visit of Chelsea up next, with the hope that no more VAR decisions go against them.
Liverpool needs to put this defeat behind them
Thankfully, despite coming away from the arch rivals empty-handed, Aston Villa’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday still keeps the reigning Premier League champions in the driver’s seat over their Champions League destiny.
The Reds need a maximum of four points from their remaining three games to officially seal a spot in the Champions League, with AFC Bournemouth breathing down their neck, after a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Liverpool’s final three Premier League games:
| Opponent | Date |
| 1. Chelsea (H) | Saturday May 9 |
| 2. Aston Villa (A) | Sunday May 17 |
| 3. Brentford (H) | Sunday May 24 |
Liverpool just need to focus on the season, now, game by game, meaning any anger or disappointment that was voiced post-match after the Old Trafford defeat must be shoved to one side when Chelsea come to town.
With the Blues coming into the Anfield clash with five defeats on the trot in the Premier League, this is a perfect opportunity for Slot’s men to get back to winning ways, after the heartbreak of the 3-2 defeat to Carrick’s hosts.
