There are defeats that hurt because of performance, and then there are ones that leave us questioning what we’ve just seen.
At Old Trafford, it feels like we got a bit of both, but the biggest talking point remains Manchester United’s second goal and whether it should ever have stood.
"The goal shouldn't have been given." ❌
Should Benjamin Sesko's goal have been disallowed for handball? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/G5jwZkmsLK
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 3, 2026
Speaking on Match of the Day, Alan Shearer didn’t hesitate when giving his verdict on the incident involving Benjamin Sesko.
“I thought it was handball. I don’t want to see these goals disallowed, right, I think the handball law is a complete nonsense anyway and this law as well.”
The former striker made it clear that, regardless of his views on the law itself, consistency is what matters.
“But, in terms of consistency and applying the law correctly, I think me and Micah [Richards] agreed straight away that we both said ‘that has hit his hand’.
“You can see the motion of the ball move because it hits his left hand there.”
That point about the ball’s movement is exactly what many of us noticed in real time, with the trajectory appearing to shift just before the ball crossed the line.
Shearer even admitted the touch was minimal, but still felt the law should have been applied.
“It’s only a slight touch, I get that… but when they are applying the law and that is what they say… that should have been disallowed.”
Micah Richards echoed that view, reinforcing the sense that this wasn’t a subjective call in their eyes.
“It’s there for us all to see. The motion of the ball changed, didn’t it? And that’s what you need to look at.”
The former Manchester City defender also pointed back to the wording of the rule itself.
“The law is ‘if it comes off your hand’ which it clearly did in our view, the goal should not have been given. It is as simple as that.”
That assessment lines up with what former referee Keith Hackett has already said, stressing: “The law states that you cannot score a goal with your hand, even if considered accidental.”
At the same time, it’s fair to acknowledge we didn’t help ourselves in the build-up, something Jamie Carragher highlighted when he said: “That goal… you talk about Liverpool’s season… they can’t cope with the counterattack.”
Even so, when a goal appears to come off a striker’s hand and still stands after a lengthy review, it’s no surprise that many of us are walking away feeling like this was another one that simply went against us.
Welcome to our Live Comments section, where new comments will appear automatically
If sky have the equipment to see it was hand ball why does var not have it ?
Jones walking pace in his own penalty area while utd are attacking, absalout disgrace, third goal where was he playing statues while young Rio is trying to do his job for him sooner he’s gone the better but it’s the manager who picks him gomez who plays full back, frimpong wasted in mo position 🤔
if the ball hits his hand it should not be allowed even if it was accidental but he brought his hand towards the ball which makes it not accidental whats the point of VAR if they cannot get game it right The foul on Sobs by fernades should have been red card studs up gets his ankle nowhere near the ball.
Nothing hurts more than a defeat against Manchester United. But when the margins are that fine the goal should stand. It’s an entertainment people pay money to see goals. Var is killing the game. I know rules are rules, you could see at very close up it was hand ball. It should have been ruled out going by the rules. We all agree on this. With different people in var it could have been disallowed. Even with the technology its human mistakes.
More importantly for me is Liverpool football club. Not the clueless who are with VAR, The performance yesterday was yet another where we saw shambolic defending. At set pieces and balls into the box. If you don’t press and hold a high line then at least be compact when you are without the ball.
We have been in decline now at the last five months of last season, its continued into pre season, the community shield, and all this season. Whatever attacking talent you have, if you defend as we do you don’t get anywhere.
Frimpong at right winger, yet slot doesn’t start with RIO a natural winger, who was a threat as soon as he came on. Jones as right back. Its a complete mess easy for Manchester United, the worst United team in premier league history.
There we are nothing much else to say. If you don’t care, you don’t care. Content with failure. FSG content with decline and failure.
A season of absolute failure after spending 450 million. Nobody is too blame, nobody gets sacked. We limp on into next season even weaker and the best failure is kept for last, Another defeat to Manchester United who we were 42 points above last season.
Keep supporting charlatan owners FSG if you are happy.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Notify me of follow-up comments by email.
Notify me of new posts by email.
