Liverpool fought back from two goals down against Manchester United at Old Trafford, only to then fall behind to Kobbie Mainoo's 77th-minute strike at the Stretford End
18:52, 03 May 2026
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and midfielder Dominik Szobsozlai.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and midfielder Dominik Szobsozlai.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was disappointed that Benjamin Sesko's goal was allowed to stand in the first half of the clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, the Dutchman refused to blame that incident for the defeat that Michael Carrick's men inflicted on the Reds thanks to Kobbie Mainoo's winner, delaying Liverpool's mathematical qualification for the Champions League.
"If it is a touch, it is never a lot of course," Slot said on Sky Sports in the aftermath of the fixture. "You can argue whether the goal should be disallowed [because] if there was a touch, it was so light.
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"If it was a touch, it should have been disallowed. But I want to focus on how we conceded that second goal because that's where we can do better."
After a poor first half, Liverpool managed to get back on level terms thanks to goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo, who pounced on mistakes from Manchester United.
But from there, Slot's men didn't press on and take advantage of the surprise position that they found themselves in, allowing the host to regain control and eventually move in front again.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 3: Benjamin Sesko of Manchester Utd scores his side's second goal for 2-0 during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on May 3, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
"In some ways the work that has been done, the way the players have played, we can take a lot from it," Carrick said.
"Qualifying for the Champions League felt a long way off in the distance at one point. It's not something we celebrate really, we just want to finish high up in the league.
"We scored a lot of goals; we have scored in the past five games. Our focus has been on out-of-possession work.
"We try to put our strength in the game, we started the game well, and I'm just as pleased with the way we finished the game. Two setbacks could have knocked us but the players were quality, and we came out on top."
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Carrick also revealed that Sesko has been managing an injury. The Slovenian overcame that problem, however, to get on the scoresheet to double the Manchester United lead in the first half.
"He's been carrying a shin problem for some time," Carrick added. "He got pushed and caught the bit that's been causing him some problems."
Manchester United is now officially qualified for the Champions League. Liverpool still needs a maximum of four more points to confirm a top-five finish, with matches against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford still to come.