Liverpool were hard done by over one major decision in their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
There was controversy over the home side’s second goal in the 14th minute as, from Freddie Woodman’s initial save, the ball bounced off Benjamin Sesko’s groin and then onto his fingertips before crossing the goalline.
Arne Slot was understandably pleading the case for handball on the touchline, but the goal was allowed to stand after a VAR check, and it ultimately proved a pivotal call given the final scoreline.
Speaking on Sky Sports at half-time, Roy Keane felt that the slight contact off the Man United striker’s fingertips wasn’t enough for the goal to be disallowed, but former PGMOL chief executive Keith Hackett insisted that it ought to have been struck off.
Taking to X in quoting the Irishman’s analysis, the ex-Premier League referee stated: ‘The law states that you cannot score a goal with your hand, even if considered accidental.’
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"I don't think you want them goals getting cancelled"
Roy Keane and Daniel Sturridge analyse Benjamin Šeško's goal against Liverpool 🔍 pic.twitter.com/aWJyby8lX9
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 3, 2026
Hackett is indeed correct – as specified by IFAB, the handball rule states that ‘a handball offence is committed when a player (except the goalkeeper in their own penalty area)…scores a goal against the other team with their hand/arm or scores immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm (even if the touch was accidental)’.
The contact off Sesko’s fingers may have been minimal, but by the definition stated above, the goal should technically have been disallowed.
Liverpool supporters will rightly point to a goal that Alexis Mac Allister had chalked off against Nottingham Forest in February when, from an attempted Ola Aina clearance, the ball struck his elbow with his back turned and trickled over the line.
In both cases, the contact with the ball was unintentional, but one of the goals was given and the other wasn’t. It’s exactly the kind of inconsistency which drives football fans absolutely spare.
The Reds should still have done a lot better in the lead-up to Sesko’s goal, but it’s also true that they have legitimate cause to feel aggrieved that it was allowed to stand. We can only hope that decision doesn’t cost us come the end of the season.
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It’s a disgrace that this goal was given and then after the match they say it should’ve been disallowed why don’t they say this during the match so Acton can be taken now nothing will be done and a team lose the points all because of stupid errors
We can’t keep blaming var , you’re overlooking the problems without the ball. In the first half we were blown away from a poor team who just plays direct football with crosses into the box. We got back into it by mistakes from them . One was in the midfield because they can’t pass the ball, the other was Manchester United playing out from the back, and they can’t do that either. They thrive off counter attack which is a sign of a poor team. The first time we pressed we forced a mistake, where was the pressing in the first half?
The third goal they scored was even more disappointing, where was the right back? You cant blame a young kid. We can’t defend for peanuts, if you can’t defend you’ll always be chasing games even against poor opponents. Szoboszlai was the only Liverpool player who put in a shift. Carragher says we only need three signings.
Without Alisson we are weaker, at right back lightweight, at left back lightweight, central midfield needs a complete overhaul. Wirtz has become an expensive problem, the only wide player who gives width is a kid called Rio who slot won’t play. And we only have one striker, isak, and he’s injury prone.
Jones, endo chiesa not good enough, who’s going to replace the goals and assist of Salah.
It’s a complete mess. The 450 million spent last summer hasn’t strengthened us, it’s made us worse.
We have a manager in slot who doesn’t understand the physical side of the premier league and he can’t organise a team that can defend.
Liverpool have massive problems ahead of next season and FSG are hiding their heads in the sand. Pretending everything will be fine next season is beyond naive . Its complacency and inept ownership.
So if this goal was disallowed, we drew against Manc. Why are we aiming for draws? Aiming to not lose? It’s time to wake up fsg. This is no longer a dream but a nightmare.
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