Fans convinced Arne Slot made Champions League gesture to Man Utd fans at full-time

Did Arne Slot make a subtle reference to Liverpool's success in Europe before making his way down the Old Trafford tunnel on Sunday? Some fans certainly think so.

It was another afternoon to forget for Liverpool, who have now lost 18 games this season after a late winner from Kobbie Mainoo secured Manchester United's spot in next season's Champions League.

With three games left to play, the Reds are currently 26 points behind where they were last season – a drop off deemed "unacceptable" by captain Virgil van Dijk.

"I'm not here to make excuses," Van Dijk said after Sunday's game. "It's been a very disappointing season, an unacceptable season, and it's tough. We shouldn't feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever."

Even the often cool, calm and collected Arne Slot cut a frustrated figure on the Old Trafford touchline. In fact, some believe the Dutchman aimed a subtle dig at Manchester United after the final whistle.

As seen in the footage below, Slot can be seen holding up six fingers before walking down the tunnel – a gesture that has been linked to Liverpool's six European Cup wins.

In total, Liverpool have lifted six European Cups, which makes them the most successful British team in the competition's history. Their victories came in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, and 2019.

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Of course, it may have been nothing more than an involuntary movement from Slot, though some fans believe it was a subtle response to the hostile reception he received from the Stretford End.

Here's how fans on social media reacted to the incident.

One wrote: "Arne Slot telling Manchester United fans how many Champions Leagues Liverpool have won," and a second commented: "I take it all back. Give him a new deal."

A third said: "And he had nothing to do with any of them," while a fourth added: "Pathetic. He didn’t help win any of them, he can’t even get a run of wins together in the league."

Arne Slot criticises VAR after Benjamin Sesko goal controversy

United went 2-0 up after just 14 minutes thanks to Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, although the latter's goal was a source of controversy after it was allowed to stand following a VAR review.

VAR was tasked with determining whether the ball had made contact with Sesko's hand before crossing the line and, after around three minutes, the goal was eventually upheld.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot was far from happy with the process.

"If it was a touch, which I think it is because if you know a bit about ball sports, you know that if a ball has a certain curve and the curve changes, there must have been a contact," he said.

"But if it's light then we should have a debate in football about whether that's enough to disallow a goal. But the rule is if there was a touch then it should have been disallowed.

"I don't think it's a surprise to anyone this season that if there's a VAR intervention or if there's something that could be left or could be right (50-50) then the decision goes against us."

Slot continued: "That has been the whole season every single time this season. I remember Paris Saint-Germain at home, getting a penalty for a soft touch on Mac Allister but of course the VAR intervenes and says no, no, no, this is not a penalty.

"Then one week later when I see Paris Saint-Germain play against Bayern Munich and get that same soft touch but the penalty stays."

"I saw last week my goalkeeper on the floor with an injury and the referee doesn't stop the game," he added. "I see a player of United off the pitch today and the referee stops the game when we try to play on. That has been our whole season."