Arne Slot is known for an air of calmness about him on the touchline, but the boss admits he was “Angry” after a 2-1 loss to Manchester City at Anfield. Even so, he admitted to the media that the Domonik Szoboszlai Red Card was the correct call and also praised the team for their second-half performance.
Slot “Angry” With Result, Not Effort
It’s often hard to tell exactly how managers are feeling after a match, but Arne Slot left no doubt.
“Yeah, a feeling of anger, a feeling of disappointment,” he said. “First half, City were the better team on the pitch without creating that many big chances. Second half, our standards went up. Standards in terms of intensity. We were pressing them all over the place and that is the biggest improvement we have made in the last three or four months - that the whole team is now able at the highest level against a team that is probably one of the best teams, maybe the best team or one of the best teams in England in ball possession, to do so well off the ball is a big improvement. Fantastic second half, I was expecting more than being 1-0 up but we weren't and then two goals conceded.”
Reflecting On Controversial Calls
When asked about the chaos at the end of the game, Slot said he understood some calls but not others.
“I can live with the fact, although I don't like it, that the referee follows the rulebook and Dominik makes a foul on Haaland in that last situation,” Slot said. “Which is a clear shirt-pull and he was through to goal so he would have scored. So that's a red card. And I think the Sunderland manager is really happy that he gives the red card. So that's the rulebook and you follow the rulebook. And if you follow the rulebook and you have a clear shirt-pull from [Marc] Guehi on Mo Salah, who for eight years is scoring that ball every single time - 100 out of 100 times he scores that goal, a bit exaggerated - and that is not a red card, then there is more of my frustration.”
Team News
Slot also revealed that Jeremie Frimpong will not be available for the Sunderland match on February 11, and Joe Gomez in question with an injury. Szoboszlai will be serving a suspension so the already limited defensive options become a full-blown emergency.
“Jeremie for sure not. We knew this when he got injured, that it was a few weeks. To be honest, I don't expect Joe to be back as well, but you never know. But then he is back after being out for three weeks, would you play him then? You say no, but you don't have to make the decision - I have to make the decision. Let's see what decision we make. We have other players that can play that position as well. Dom - again - played a very good game in that position but unfortunately, he is unavailable for Wednesday.”
LFC Globe Verdict
Liverpool were poised to garner one of their best results of the season, but the narrative changed in about five minutes. It’s unfortunate that referees’ decisions, right or wrong, played such a huge part in the outcome. The club has been resilient all season, so I hope this result and the extra noise that comes with it, does not cause this one bad result to grow into more.
We want to hear from you. Who is most to blame for this defeat: The referee for the controversial penalty call, or Alisson for the initial mistake? Drop your verdict in the comments below—we read every single one.
