Slot's VAR fury but loss highlights Liverpool issues
Arne Slot claimed it was no surprise a video assistant referee (VAR) intervention went against Liverpool in their 3-2 defeat at Manchester United . But the Dutch boss said his side must also take a hard look at themselves to stop conceding "ridiculous goals" after falling to an 11th Premier League loss of the season. Benjamin Sesko's goal, which put United 2-0 ahead in only the 14th minute, was checked for a potential handball, but referee Darren England's call of letting the strike stand was confirmed by the VAR Stuart Attwell.
"If it was a touch, which I think it is, in a ball sport it has a certain curve and it changes it must be a contact, then we should have a debate if that is enough to disallow a goal," said a furious Slot as he banged his fist on the table in his post-match media conference. "I don't think it is a surprise to anyone this season that if there is a VAR intervention it goes against us - it has been the whole season the same. "I remember Paris St-Germain at home, getting a penalty for a soft touch on [Alexis] Mac Allister.
VAR intervened and it was not a penalty. The next week, PSG gets one. "But the second goal, we did not concede because of the handball.
We lost it because we lost the ball in a stupid position so we have to first look at ourselves. This is a complete pattern over the season but there is also a pattern that we concede ridiculous goals. " Man Utd secure Champions League football after Mainoo winner v Liverpool A chant of "champions" was a constant from the away end throughout this wild afternoon at Old Trafford.
The Liverpool fans had every right to remind their rivals of their triumph last season, but it was a timely reminder too of how far their side has fallen in a feeble title defence. United finished 42 points behind them in 15th place, but now look set to finish above Slot's side for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign. Michael Carrick's men also completed a league double over Liverpool for the first time since 2015-16.