THERE was not “conclusive evidence” of a Benjamin Sesko handball to disallow Manchester United’s controversial second goal against Liverpool.

That is according to the Premier League’s official match centre, which has explained why referee Darren England allowed the close range scramble to stand.

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There was not “conclusive evidence” of a handball against Benjamin Sesko Credit: Sky Sports

The Slovenian forward bundled over the line from close range Credit: Alamy

Sesko, 21, bundled the ball over the line after backup Reds goalie Freddie Woodman could only palm a Bruno Fernandes headed cross into the United striker’s chest.

The players had long finished celebrating after a blistering start only for England to make everyone wait as it was checked.

And VAR replays showed how the ball bounced up and appeared to roll off the tip of Sesko’s finger on its way in.

Reviewed by Stuart Attwell and Constantine Hatzidakis at Stockley Park, the incident was pored over before being given.

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And the Prem reason is: “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.”

Multiple views of the ball rolling around Sesko’s midriff show it coming extremely close to the tips of his fingers.

As both teams and sets of fans waited on the outcome, Sesko put his hand to his head in disbelief.

He was soon celebrating again as England pointed to the centre circle, confirming a goal.

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Replays showed how close it passed to his hand and fingers Credit: Sky Sports

That put United 2-0 up thanks to Matheus Cunha‘s deflected strike in the sixth minute.

That was also briefly checked by VAR after Luke Shaw and Sesko stood in an offside position and in front of Woodman.

They were not in the way of the strike, though, and United put themselves well on the way to securing Champions League football.

When Sesko was nudged by Curtis Jones following a Fernandes cross, an opportunity to double the lead looked to have gone.

The ball was recycled by Cunha to the back post, where assist record chasing Bruno nodded across goal to Sesko.

Woodman’s outstretched arm could only divert the ball into Sesko and then over the line.