Slot's VAR fury but loss highlights Liverpool issues

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Arne Slot claimed it was no surprise a video assistant referee (VAR) intervention went against Liverpool in their 3-2 defeat at Manchester United.But the Dutch boss said his side must also take a hard look at themselves to stop conceding "ridiculous goals" after falling to an 11th Premier League loss of the season.Benjamin Sesko's goal, which put United 2-0 ahead in only the 14th minute, was checked for a potential handball, but referee Darren England's call of letting the strike stand was confirmed by the VAR Stuart Attwell."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," said a furious Slot as he banged his fist on the table in his post-match media conference."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."I remember Paris St-Germain at home, getting a penalty for a soft touch on [Alexis] Mac Allister. We lost it because we lost the ball in a stupid position so we have to first look at ourselves.

Since 1962, there has only been three seasons when Liverpool have lost more than 18 games in a campaign.Those numbers sum up their plight.It doesn't take much of an eye test to sum it up too. Mohamed Salah, also ruled out with injury, watched on from the directors' box and how Liverpool could have done with the Egyptian who has scored more times against United in the Premier League than anyone else.Despite the absences, Liverpool would have been aware of the task against Carrick's resurgent outfit and had all week to prepare, yet still delivered a woeful first-half performance.Once again, they went behind first and despite United's best efforts to gift them a way back into the game and drawing level at 2-2, it was another Liverpool error which helped the hosts secure the three points.

Slot and Carrick have both had reason to complain about VAR decisions recently.The Liverpool boss has bemoaned a series of calls that went in favour of the opposition, while Carrick called the red card for a hair pull by Lisandro Martinez against Leeds "one of worst decisions I've seen".This time, the United boss was the beneficiary of a decision which could have gone either way.Judging whether the ball has touched a player's hand can be one of the trickiest roles of the VAR.It involves using split-screen angles because depth perception can give the incorrect suggestion the ball has touched the hand or arm on just one camera.The decision comes down to a VAR assessing the weight of evidence, and asking themselves if they can be sure the ball did touch the hand.In these situations, who is in the VAR chair can make a difference. Broadcasters have higher frame rate options with an ultra zoom, which Sky showed a few minutes after play had restarted.In this case the VAR Attwell felt he did not have the definitive evidence to overturn the goal.