Liverpool Kalah 3-2, Kontroversi Gol Matheus Cunha di Old Trafford

On Minggu, 03 April 2026 malam WIB, Liverpool faced Manchester United at Old Trafford. The match ended 3-2 in favor of the Red Devils. Thousands of fans filled the stadium, creating a tense atmosphere as the two rivals battled for a crucial point in the Premier League standings.

Manchester United opened the scoring when Matheus Cunha struck in the sixth minute, giving the home side early confidence. Benjamin Sesko added a second goal in the 14th minute, and Kobbie Mainoo sealed the win with a late strike in the 77th minute. Liverpool responded with Dominik Szoboszlai in the 47th minute and Cody Gakpo in the 56th minute, keeping the match within reach until the final whistle.

The match was marred by a VAR decision on Sesko's 14th‑minute goal. The ball appeared to touch his hand before rolling into the net. After a lengthy review, the VAR confirmed the goal as legitimate, ruling no handball had occurred. The decision sparked immediate debate among fans and pundits alike.

Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, was quick to condemn the decision. He said, “Jika itu sentuhan [oleh Sesko] yang menurut saya memang demikian -- dalam olahraga bola, ada kurva tertentu dan itu berubah -- itu pasti kontak, maka kita harus berdebat apakah itu cukup untuk membatalkan gol,” adding that the club had been unfairly affected by VAR multiple times. Slot’s frustration was evident as he addressed the media after the match.

Slot added, “Saya rasa tidak ada yang terkejut musim ini bahwa jika ada intervensi VAR, itu merugikan kami. Sepanjang musim selalu sama. Saya ingat PSG di kandang, mendapat penalti karena sentuhan ringan pada [Alexis] Mac Allister, VAR turun tangan dan itu bukan penalti,” and referenced a similar incident last week involving a stoppage for a United player’s injury, which Liverpool felt was inconsistent with previous rulings.

He also echoed a sentiment shared on social media: “It's NO surprise to anyone that if there is a VAR intervention then the decision goes against us!” “It has been happening to us all season.” pic.twitter.com/wuL8Yxl6CQ – 03 May 2026.

In the broader context, the match highlighted the ongoing debate over VAR’s influence in Premier League games. Liverpool’s frustration underscores a pattern of controversial decisions that many clubs feel have tipped the balance in favor of their opponents. The incident adds to a growing list of matches where VAR outcomes have been questioned, raising concerns about consistency and fairness.