Arne Slot Questions Penalty Decisions After LiverpoolS Draw with Manchester United
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed his frustration with penalty decisions following his team’s 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Anfield on January 13, 2024. Despite dominating possession, Liverpool failed to break down a resolute Manchester united defense, and Slot questioned why his team receives so few penalties compared to other Premier League sides. He also defended his players’ tendency to stay on their feet when challenged in the box.
Penalty Controversy and Liverpool’s Record
The discussion centered around a first-half incident involving a challenge on a Liverpool player in the penalty area. When asked if it was a penalty, Slot stated, “No, because he stayed on his feet.” he elaborated that, in his view, a penalty woudl likely have been awarded if the player had fallen, but highlighted a pattern of Liverpool being denied penalties when players attempt to remain upright.
Slot referenced a previous incident involving Cody Gakpo during a match against Brentford, where the referee allowed play to continue despite a potential foul. he believes this has led his players to try and stay on their feet, making it harder for VAR to intervene. “This season we have conceded a few soft penalties, but Brentford away, with Cody Gakpo, the referee said ‘play on’ so our players try to stay on our feet and then it is hard for the VAR to interfere,” Slot explained.
He acknowledged that over the course of a season, fairness should prevail, but believes a longer timeframe is needed to see that happen. “I don’t believe in the fact that over a season you get what you deserve but in a long time, two, three, four seasons, then I believe in it.” Slot pointed out that Liverpool has only been awarded one penalty this season, a statistic he finds surprising given his team’s high percentage of ball possession. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/jan/13/arne-slot-liverpool-manchester-united-penalty-decisions
Slot clarified he isn’t actively encouraging his players to avoid going down, stating, “We are just who we are. We stay on our feet.”
Challenges Breaking Down a Low Block
Beyond the penalty discussion, Slot acknowledged his team’s inability to convert possession into goals. He emphasized the difficulty of creating chances against a well-organized defense that sits deep – a “low block.”
“We are the team that has the most but ball possession means not a lot if you cannot create enough chances and to create chances against a low block you need pace, individual special moments to create an overload,” Slot said. He also noted the difficulty of finding passing lanes with 11 players defending near the goal. Despite the lack of a breakthrough, Slot praised his team’s persistence.
Key Takeaways
* Penalty Frustration: Arne Slot is concerned about the lack of penalties awarded to Liverpool, particularly when players stay on their feet.
* Staying Upright: Liverpool players are attempting to remain standing when challenged,influenced by previous refereeing decisions.
* Breaking Down Defenses: Slot recognizes the challenge of creating chances against teams that defend deeply.
* Persistence: Despite the draw, Slot was pleased with his team’s continued effort.
The draw leaves Liverpool in a competitive position in the Premier League title race. Slot will be looking for his team to improve their attacking efficiency and hopefully see a more favorable run of penalty decisions in the coming weeks.
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