Slot's VAR fury but loss highlights Liverpool issues

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Controlled game without being a threat - Slot

Football reporter , At Old Trafford Published 3 hours ago 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 beat Liverpool to confirm Champions League spot

Man Utd secure Champions League football after Mainoo winner v Liverpool

Reds prepare for summer of change 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.

A tally of 18 defeats in all competitions is also the most since the Reds lost 19 in 2009-10, which was Rafael Benitez's last season at Anfield. Since 1962, there has only been three seasons when Liverpool have lost more than 18 games in a campaign.

Those numbers sum up their plight.

It doesn't take much of an eye test to sum it up too. Six points clear of sixth-placed Bournemouth with three games left, Liverpool should secure Champions League football and deserve some credit for that.

But watch this side on a weekly basis and it's clear to see this is a team that is struggling and one that cannot wait for this campaign to finish.

The injuries have been relentless and that was encapsulated with record signing Alexander Isak absent at Old Trafford and third-choice Freddie Woodman and fourth-choice Armin Pecsi as their two goalkeeping options.