Liverpool's 11th Premier League defeat exposes defensive frailties as Arne Slot targets VAR inconsistency
Manager Arne Slot criticises the video assistant referee's decision to allow Manchester United's second goal, arguing that the standard for disallowing a handball must be debated when depth perception is unclear.
Liverpool suffered a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United, a result that marks the club's 11th Premier League loss of the season. The match concluded with Manchester United securing Champions League qualification, completing a league double over their rivals for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.
Manager Arne Slot expressed fury regarding a video assistant referee decision that allowed Manchester United's second goal, citing a pattern of conceding "ridiculous goals" and poor ball retention within his own side. Slot argued that if a touch occurred, officials should debate whether that contact is sufficient to disallow a goal, noting that subjective judgment often dictates the outcome when depth perception is unclear.
The defeat represents Liverpool's 18th loss in all competitions this season, their highest tally since the 2009-10 campaign under Rafael Benitez. Despite finishing the previous season four points clear of Manchester United in sixth place, the current form has seen the Reds fall significantly, with United now looking set to finish above Slot's side for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.
Key absences contributed to the woeful first-half performance, with Mohamed Salah and record signing Alexander Isak ruled out due to injury. The team also fielded third-choice goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and fourth-choice Armin Pecsi, while the absence of Salah meant the Egyptian missed the chance to score against United, a feat he has achieved more times than any other player in the Premier League.
The late winner came in the 77th minute when Kobbie Mainoo exploited a defensive error by Alexis Mac Allister, who failed to clear his lines. Slot acknowledged that the team lost possession in a "stupid position" rather than the handball incident, yet the controversy over the VAR intervention remains a focal point of his post-match criticism.
This result leaves Liverpool six points clear of sixth-placed Bournemouth with three games remaining, a margin that should theoretically secure Champions League football. However, Slot admitted that while he is aware of the need for three points, the team is struggling and faces a summer of change regardless of the qualification outcome.
