Liverpool manager Arne Slot sparked controversy after making a six-finger gesture towards Manchester United fans following his side's 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday. The gesture, interpreted as a reference to Liverpool's six European Cup titles, came as Slot walked back to the tunnel after full-time.
The loss was a blow to Liverpool's Premier League campaign, though they remain close to securing Champions League football, needing just four points from their final three games. However, the performance has drawn criticism from fans and within the club, with defender Ibrahima Konate revealing complaints at half-time about a lack of aggression and mental strength.
Konate said: 'It was just about the mentality. In the first half we lost many challenges on the pitch. When it was 50-50, most of them Manchester [United] won them. But in the second half we just had to change it and change the mentality.'
United took a 2-0 lead within 14 minutes through Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. Liverpool fought back with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo, but Kobbie Mainoo's 74th-minute strike sealed the win for United. Szoboszlai also responded to the crowd by pointing to the Premier League badge on his sleeve, highlighting Liverpool's status as reigning champions.
The incident adds to a challenging season for Liverpool, who will bid farewell to club legends Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson this summer.
