Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed his frustration over the decision to allow Benjamin Sesko's controversial goal during Manchester United's 3-2 victory at Old Trafford. The Slovenian striker's strike, which made it 2-0 to the hosts after Matheus Cunha had opened the scoring, was scrutinised by VAR for a potential handball.
VAR controversy
Replays appeared to show the ball striking Sesko's leg before brushing his hand en route to the net. However, officials concluded there was 'no conclusive evidence' of a handball, allowing the goal to stand. Slot argued that the goal should have been disallowed according to the laws of the game.
Speaking after the match, Slot said: "If it was a touch, which I think it is because if you know a bit about ball sports, you know that if a ball has a certain curve and the curve changes, there must have been a contact. But if it's light then we should have a debate in football about whether that's enough to disallow a goal. But the rule is if there was a touch then it should have been disallowed."
Pattern of decisions
The Dutchman highlighted a perceived pattern of unfavourable VAR calls this season. He referenced a penalty incident involving Alexis Mac Allister against Paris Saint-Germain and a failure to stop play when his goalkeeper was injured. "I don't think it's a surprise to anyone this season that if there's a VAR intervention or if there's something that could be left or could be right (50-50) then the decision goes against us. That has been the whole season every single time this season," Slot added.
Slot takes responsibility
Despite his criticism of the officials, Slot acknowledged his side's own shortcomings. "But the second goal we didn't concede because of a handball, we conceded it because we lost the ball in a stupid position and we lost a few big moments afterwards in duels. We have to first look at ourselves, that is completely clear and obvious," he said.
Slot concluded: "When we played United the first time this season, I had one of my players needing five stitches on the floor, and the referee didn't stop the game and we conceded. This is a complete pattern over the whole season, but there is also a pattern that we concede ridiculous goals when we are the better team, one or two are switching off and then we concede a goal. That we have more influence on, so I should focus much more on that than on these referee decisions that go against us."
