Benjamin Sesko goal decision explained as Premier League clarify VAR call in Man Utd vs Liverpool

Damerex1 minute ago

VAR call on Sesko goal sparks debate as Manchester United edge Liverpool in Old Trafford thriller

It had everything you’d expect from Manchester United against Liverpool, pace, goals, a shift in momentum, and, inevitably, a VAR decision that left half the stadium celebrating and the other half fuming.

United’s 3-2 win at Old Trafford will be remembered for Kobbie Mainoo’s late winner, but the moment that really split opinion came much earlier, when Benjamin Sesko doubled the lead under the watchful eye of the video officials.

For a few minutes, nobody quite knew what to think.

The goal that stopped the game

United had come flying out of the blocks. Matheus Cunha’s early opener set the tone, and before Liverpool could really settle, Sesko had the ball in the net again.

The move itself was sharp. Bruno Fernandes created the opening down the right, sending a teasing ball across the six-yard box. Liverpool goalkeeper Freddie Woodman got there, but only partially, pushing it straight back into danger.

Sesko reacted quickest. The finish, though, wasn’t exactly textbook.

The ball ricocheted off his legs, popped up awkwardly, brushed his upper body and eventually trickled over the line. From the stands, it looked messy but effective. From Liverpool’s perspective, it looked suspicious.

That’s when the waiting started.

A long look at the replays

Referee Stuart Attwell, overseeing things from the VAR hub, took his time with this one. And you could see why.

Some angles suggested a clean contact. Others hinted the ball might have clipped Sesko’s hand or fingers on the way through. It wasn’t obvious, which is usually where these decisions get tricky.

For around three minutes, players hovered, fans whistled, and the usual sense of uncertainty crept in. Nobody celebrates properly during a VAR check anymore, not until the screen stays silent.

Eventually, the decision came through. Goal given.

Old Trafford roared. Liverpool, unsurprisingly, weren’t convinced.

Why the goal stood

Shortly after the incident, the Premier League Match Centre offered a bit of clarity on the call.

“The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by VAR, with it deemed there was no conclusive evidence that Sesko handled the ball before scoring.”

In simple terms, the footage didn’t provide enough to overturn what had already been given on the pitch. It wasn’t a definitive “no handball” more a case of not enough proof to say there was one.

It’s the kind of explanation that makes sense in theory, but rarely satisfies everyone watching.

Game far from settled

At 2-0, United looked comfortable. Maybe too comfortable.

Liverpool came out after the break with a different edge. Dominik Szoboszlai cut the deficit almost immediately, driving forward and finishing with confidence. Just like that, the tone shifted.

Nine minutes later, the game was level. Cody Gakpo applied the finish after another lapse from United, and suddenly the early dominance felt like a distant memory.

For a while, it looked like Liverpool might push on and complete the turnaround. But United still carried a threat, especially on the counter. Even as Liverpool pressed, there were moments where the home side looked capable of finding something.

It came through Kobbie Mainoo.

With the clock ticking into the final stages, the midfielder stepped up to restore the lead, capping off a performance full of energy and composure. It was a goal that settled nerves and, ultimately, settled the game.