Slot furious over United handball call after Liverpool’s Old Trafford defeat

Matheus Cunha put United ahead in the 6th minute, and Sesko made it 2-0 in the 14th after a VAR check that judged the replay inconclusive. Slot argued that if the ball brushed Sesko’s hand, the goal should have been ruled out, but he also said Liverpool were not necessarily unlucky to be behind at the break. He accepted that United deserved their two-goal lead and pointed instead to the way his own side defended the opening stages.

The Liverpool manager identified set-pieces and a counter-attack as the main reasons United scored their first two goals. He said his team were not aggressive enough early on, especially in the first six minutes, and stressed that Liverpool needed far more intent after half-time. Dominik Szoboszlai cut the gap in the 47th minute and Cody Gakpo equalised in the 56th, but Liverpool never turned their possession into control. United, backed by 74,027 fans, regained the lead through Mainoo and finished the afternoon with a result that strengthened their grip on third place.

The numbers showed Liverpool’s limits as clearly as the scoreline. They had 62 per cent possession, only five shots on target and an expected goals total of 0.89, despite the pressure of needing a response at Old Trafford. Slot said his side must do better in possession and improve their defending against counter-attacks, a warning that sounded as much about structure as effort.