Manchester United won 3-2 against Liverpool in a Premier League match played on May 4, 2026, at Old Trafford [1]. The game featured a contentious moment when Benjamin Sesko scored United's second goal in the 14th minute. The goal was reviewed for handball by VAR but was ultimately allowed to stand [1].
Liverpool manager Arne Slot criticized the VAR ruling, saying, "If it was a touch, which I think it is, in a ball sport it has a certain curve and it changes it must be a contact, then we should have a debate if that is enough to disallow a goal. I don't think it is a surprise to anyone this season that if there is a VAR intervention it goes against us - it has been the whole season the same" [1].
Former England striker Alan Shearer agreed the goal involved handball and should have been disallowed under current laws, stating, "I think it was handball. I don't want to see goals disallowed for that but when they are applying the law it should have been disallowed" [1].
Despite controversy, Slot said Liverpool’s defensive errors contributed heavily to their defeat. "But the second goal, we did not concede because of the handball. We lost it because we lost the ball in a stupid position so we have to first look at ourselves. This is a complete pattern over the season but there is also a pattern that we concede ridiculous goals" [1].
Liverpool have now suffered 11 Premier League losses this season and 18 defeats in all competitions, the most defeats they have had since the 2009-10 campaign [1]. Manchester United completed their first league double over Liverpool since the 2015-16 season with this win [1]. The victory puts United on track to finish above Liverpool in the league for the first time since the 2022-23 season [1].
