Liverpool: Arne Slot responds as VAR allows controversial Benjamin Sesko 'handball' goal to stand in loss | OneFootball

Dutchman feels goal ‘should’ have been disallowed

Arne Slot has admitted the VAR decision not to disallow Benjamin Sesko’s goal left him frustrated, but admitted he was more disappointed with his Liverpool side’s performance in defeat by Manchester United.

The injury-ravaged Reds endured a difficult afternoon at Old Trafford. They trailed 2-0 at half-time and rallied to equalise shortly after the break, before Kobbie Mainoo lashed a winner home late in the second half.

Sesko clumsily bundled a Bruno Fernandes cross home to score the second, and replays appeared to show the ball brushing the Slovenian’s hand on its way over the line.

VAR investigated the incident, but found insufficient evidence to disallow the goal.

Speaking at full-time, Slot admitted he disagreed with the decision but admitted the situation would not have come to be if Liverpool had defended more effectively.

He told Sky Sports: “If it is a touch it is never a lot of course. If it was a touch, it should have been disallowed. I want to focus on how we conceded that second goal, because that's where we can do better."

Liverpool were without eight first-team players against United, and unsurprisingly were far from their best. They finished the match with 62 per cent possession but just five shots on target and an xG of 0.89, and Slot admitted his side did not do enough to neuter United’s threat.

Benjamin Sesko appeared to handle the ball as he clumsily scored Manchester United’s second goal

"We weren't able to control their strengths,” he added. “We were aware of them - set-pieces and counter-attack. You have to know where to lose the ball if you play against United.

“They are really strong when they play into the middle. They have so many fast players, Bruno Fernandes to hurt you in transition and that's exactly what happened.

"We had a lot of ball possession, one of their strengths is also defending. I tried to play a bit more on both sides with the wingers. We went a bit too much for the middle in the first-half where they can counterattack you.”

Slot added that in planning for the next season, he is looking to close ‘fine margins’ between Liverpool and their rivals.

The Liverpool boss went on: “I don't think anyone expected us to lose that game after a 2-2. Or maybe you do after the whole of our season. As I've shown so many times this season, when we are playing well or we think we are able to win it, we switch off. The ball fell to Mainoo and a great finish for them.

“The margins are not so big between us. I know quite clearly what we need to improve and we are already working hard on that because we have a bit more training time now.

“As you said, the main issues mainly come back and that is not a complete surprise because there is not a lot you can change during the season. Of course, tactically, you can change certain things, but for us, for me, it is quite clear where we have to improve.”