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Posted on May 9, 2026 7:00 pm | Updated on May 9, 2026 6:02 pm
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Liverpool were left frustrated after a controversial VAR decision in their clash with Man United. Benjamin Sesko scored a goal which stood with doubts. The incident has raised serious questions about how VAR and referee decisions are made in a game.
Benjamin Sesko controversial game changer goal
The Merseyside club were left frustrated after a controversial moment in their match against Man United. The biggest talking point was a goal scored by Benjamin Sesko, which was allowed to stand despite strong doubts. The incident happened when the ball appeared to touch Sesko’s hand before going into the net.
According to the rules, a goal should not count if the ball hits an attacker’s hand, even by accident. The goal was reviewed with VAR, but after referee checks, the goal stood. Meanwhile, there was no decisive angle available to support the claim of handball.
Because of this the officials concluded that there was not enough evidence to overturn the goal.
However, later from a different angle, they saw that Sesko’s fingers had brushed it slightly. But by then, they had already made the decision, and it was too late. It helped the Red Devils take control and changed the flow of the game.
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Liverpool vs Man United : Pundits explain
Liverpool vs Manchester United stats:
Statistics Manchester United Liverpool
Possesion 37% 63%
Expected Goals 2.34 0.88
Shots on Target 6 5
Pass Accuracy 79% 88%
Tackles 19 8
Interception 16 10
After the match, several pundits spoke about the incident. Former referee Dermot Gallagher explained why the officials made that call. He said the referee was in a difficult position. At the time of the decision, there was no clear proof of handball. The important camera angle only appeared around 22 minutes late.
Gallagher also pointed out something interesting. He noticed that van Dijk, who was very close to the action, did not react strongly. According to him the players were unsure if there was a handball. According to reports, Jay Bothroyd, said “This is why you need different angles. There are many things that need to improve. This needs to be quicker, better, more efficient.”
Both pundits also raised concerns about VAR. They questioned why it took so long to get the correct angle. They believe the system needs to be faster and more efficient in these situations. This moment has once again started a debate about how VAR is used in football.
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Liverpool responds amid bigger concerns
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was not happy after the game. He openly spoke about the decision and felt his team had been unlucky again. He suggested that VAR decisions have not gone in Liverpool’s favour this season. However, he also said his team must take responsibility for their own mistakes. Liverpool conceded goals because of errors.
The match itself was full of action. Liverpool fought back with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo to level the score. But Man United responded again and secured the win late in the game. Dropping points in such matches can have a big effect on their Premier League position.
Once again, people are left wondering whether the VAR system works well enough. After all, it’s clear that this game has shown how one single decision can make such a difference. For Liverpool, the focus will now shift to improving their performances and avoiding similar problems in the future.
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Author’s Opinion
In my opinion, this situation shows the biggest problem with VAR. It is not just about the decision, but the delay and confusion around it. However, if fans and players cannot understand what’s going on, then something needs to be changed. It must be clear and same for everyone.
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Aarya Sikder
Aarya Sikder is a Football Writer at Six Sports, contributing articles on football match developments, player performances, and news from across the football world. His work focuses on delivering engaging and informative coverage that keeps readers updated on key events and emerging storylines in the sport. Through his contributions to Six Sports, Aarya provides match reports, tactical insights, and feature articles that highlight trends and narratives shaping football today. His writing combines clarity with accessible analysis, making it engaging for both casual fans and dedicated followers of the sport.
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