VAR complaints made after Liverpool controversy as pundits make Virgil van Dijk point
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Benjamin Sesko's goal was allowed to stand against Liverpool despite the suggestion that the ball struck his hand09:09, 04 May 2026Updated 09:38, 04 May 2026Dermot Gallagher has sympathised with referee Darren England after Benjamin Sesko's controversial goal was allowed to stand against Liverpool and highlighted Virgil van Dijk's lack of reaction as a key indicator.The former Premier League match official insisted the referee had no choice and called out that it took the alternate angle 22 minutes to emerge, which appears to show the ball brushing the Slovenian's fingers. Instead, he highlighted the length it took for the close-up angle of the handball incident and sympathised with England, who was "hamstrung" by the key moment.He said: "Twenty-two minutes later, we get that angle (of the ball brushing his fingers) we're all for giving it time and seeing what happens but you can't wait 22 minutes.
Bothroyd agreed with Gallagher that Van Dijk's lack of reaction showed a lack of conviction in Liverpool's feelings towards the goal.He said: "Why did it take them 22 minutes to find a different angle?"We don't want to see VAR re-refereeing games. You can't see his fingers touch the ball."But you can see the ball move slightly forward.
That's why you have to give the goal."This is why you need different angles. The Reds had the chance to take the lead shortly after but the ball pinballed away from danger after the Hungarian's superb free-kick.Kobbie Mainoo restored the lead and secured the points for the Red Devils late on to move Michael Carrick's side six points clear of Liverpool.But the incident angered Arne Slot, with the Reds boss saying: "If it was a touch [by Sesko] 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 is that 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.