Fourteen minutes in and Manchester United were two goals to the good at home to Liverpool, and the second of them is already generating serious controversy.
Benjamin Sesko bundled the ball home to double United's advantage, but the celebrations were immediately met with uncertainty as the goal was reviewed by VAR for a potential handball check. Replays showed the ball coming dangerously close to Sesko's right hand as he was sandwiched between third-choice Liverpool goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and Virgil van Dijk.
VAR took their time, as they usually do, but the goal was given. Watch the goal below.
Premier League Post Statement After Sesko's Goal
The Premier League confirmed via X: " The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed there was no conclusive evidence that Sesko handled the ball before scoring. "
The goal stands. Manchester United lead 2-0, and Old Trafford is absolutely rocking.
It’s been a desperately difficult opening to this match for the visitors. The trouble started just six minutes in when Matheus Cunha opened the scoring. Liverpool barely had a chance to respond before Sesko’s dubious goal doubled the scoreline just eight minutes later.
The manner in which the second goal arrived will do little to ease the mood in the Liverpool camp. Being on the wrong end of a tight VAR decision in a match of this magnitude is the sort of thing that only fuels the frustration the reigning Premier League champions have faced all season.
Handball decisions have been one of the most contentious areas of Premier League officiating for several seasons now, and this one just adds to the conversation. The law as it stands requires clear and obvious evidence of deliberate handball, or an accidental handball that directly leads to a goal for it to be disallowed. VAR determined there was no conclusive evidence that Sesko's arm played a decisive role, and on the letter of the law, that’s a defensible conclusion.
Whether it felt just is an entirely different question. Sesko's arms were raised, the contact appeared close, and in a match of this size, marginal calls carry enormous weight.
But the scoreline can’t be disputed. Manchester United lead Liverpool 2-0, the game is still very much alive, and if the opening quarter of an hour is anything to go by, there’s plenty more drama still to come.