Liverpool head coach Arne Slot launched a fierce attack on VAR and referee Craig Pawson after a key decision went against his side at Anfield.
The Dutchman was incensed after Manchester City defender Marc Guehi avoided a red card in a tense contest.
With the score level, Guehi pulled Mohamed Salah’s shirt outside the penalty area and received only a yellow card.
VAR official John Brooks reviewed the incident for a possible penalty and denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
However, the on-field decision stood, prompting an explanation from the Premier League Match Centre.
“The referee’s call of a free-kick and yellow card to Guehi for the challenge on Salah was checked and confirmed by VAR,” the statement read.
It added the foul was “outside of the area” and “deemed not to be denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) as there was a covering defender.” That reasoning did little to calm Slot after full-time.
“We can talk about the decisions,” he said. “I would like to talk about the one time Mo was through on goal.” “Everyone who has been in this stadium in the last eight years knows if Mo is in that position it is a goal.”
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VAR decisions fuel growing Liverpool frustration
“So it is denial of a goalscoring opportunity,” Slot continued, clearly agitated by the interpretation. He then reeled off a list of controversial moments involving City across recent meetings.
“When you ask me about what decision, I thought what do you mean,” he said. “The disallowed goal at City, the penalty they got in the away game, the clear red card on Mo Salah.”
“That’s only over two games,” Slot added, insisting Liverpool had suffered repeated marginal calls. “All the big decisions that could have gone in some situation to a 50-50.”
Slot did, however, accept Dominik Szoboszlai’s late red card under the laws. “I can live with the fact, although I don’t like it,” he admitted.
“Dominik makes a foul on Haaland in that situation,” Slot said. “That’s a red card.” But the inconsistency, he stressed, was the real issue.
“If you follow the rulebook, and you have a clear shirt-pull by Guehi on Mo Salah,” he argued. “And it is not a red card, then there is more of my frustration.”
Slot concluded: “That’s the rule and following the rules is all I ask.”
Manchester City emerged 2-1 winners with Haaland netting an injury time penalty.
Tags: Arne Slot, VAR, Marc Guehi, red card, Liverpool, Manchester City, Anfield, #LIVMCI, Craig Pawson, #LFC, #MCFC, Mohamed Salah, #EPL, Premier League.
