Liverpool suffered a 3-2 loss to Manchester United last week, with Howard Webb since speaking about a particularly controversial goal
Benjamin Sesko scores
Benjamin Sesko's goal was shrouded in controversy(Image: Getty Images)
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Howard Webb has explained that VAR's decision not to rule out Benjamin Sesko's 'handball' goal against Liverpool came down to a lack of certainty. The Reds suffered a 3-2 loss to Manchester United earlier this month, in what could land as a detriment to their chances of securing Champions League qualification.
Matheus Cunha opened the scoring at Old Trafford just six minutes into the match, before Sesko doubled down just eight minutes later. While United headed into the break with a healthy advantage, Liverpool showed tenacity to level matters early into the second-half - Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo drawing level.
A point for Arne Slot's side may well have been a decent result considering the form United have been in, but fate had other plans. Kobbie Mainoo scored the decisive goal with just 13 minutes of normal time remaining to ensure that all three points remained in Greater Manchester.
However, some fans will have felt hard done by, especially considering the controversy which shrouded Sesko's finish. Luke Shaw delivered the ball deep into the box, with Bruno Fernandes heading it back across goal toward the Slovenian striker.
While Freddie Woodman got a hand to it to disrupt the passage, the ball ultimately bundled off Sesko's midrift and into the back of the net. Close-up replays showed the ball seemingly grazing the fingers of Sesko before it crossed the line, with VAR working to determine whether a handball was committed.
After a lengthy pause, the action resumed with United 2-0 up against Liverpool, much to the distaste of Reds players and fans watching around the world. However, Webb has since clarified that VAR were right to allow the goal to stand, given the uncertainty surrounding whether an offence was at play.
Speaking on Match Officials Mic'd Up, the 54-year-old explained: "I think the clip kind of speaks for itself, doesn't it, really? I'm pretty much with you.
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"I think it probably does hit the hand. But of course, the VARs need that conclusivity. They need to be absolutely certain that it does.
"And it doesn't matter what we think, does it? It matters what they think. And we do ask them to be sure that something needs acting upon.
"Clearly, Sesko doesn't deliberately handle this. He doesn't make himself bigger. It's all very natural.
Benjamin Sesko scores
VAR could not determine a handball in Benjamin Sesko's goal(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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"But, of course, the Laws of the Game require any goal that comes off the hand immediately, or where the player scores immediately after hitting the arm, then it has to be disallowed, and that means the VAR has no option but to start looking for that.
"Sometimes it looks like they're being a bit too forensic, and you hear, in this situation, the VAR looking from various angles. They want to get it right.
"If it does conclusively come off the arm, but they don't get to that level of certainty, they probably think it probably does as well, but they need to be absolutely categorical to get involved, and they weren't able to find it, and hence the reason that the on-field decision stood."