Arne Slot has expressed his frustration with VAR following Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. The Dutch boss believes there’s a recurring theme of VAR decisions going against his team. He also called for self-reflection to address the concession of “ridiculous goals” that contributed to their 11th Premier League loss of the season.
Slot’s VAR Criticism After United Loss
Slot highlighted a specific incident involving Benjamin Sesko’s goal, which put United 2-0 ahead. The goal was reviewed for a potential handball. Referee Darren England’s initial decision to allow the goal was upheld by 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,” Slot said. He added, “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.”
Slot recalled a previous incident: “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.”
However, Slot acknowledged that VAR wasn’t solely to blame for the defeat. “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.”
Alan Shearer also weighed in on the handball decision, stating, “I think it was handball. I don’t want to see goals disallowed for that but when they are applying the law it should have been disallowed.”
Liverpool’s Overall Performance and Season Struggles
The Liverpool fans reminded their rivals of their triumph last season. However, it served as a reminder 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.
Man Utd completed a league double over Liverpool for the first time since 2015-16.
- A tally of 18 defeats in all competitions is the most since the Reds lost 19 in 2009-10.
- That was Rafael Benitez’s last season at Anfield.
- Since 1962, there have only been three seasons when Liverpool have lost more than 18 games in a campaign.
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 a
Slot said his side controlled the game without being a threat.