Arne Slot Questions Refereeing Decisions After Liverpool’s Loss to Manchester City
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, voiced his frustration with several refereeing decisions following his team’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester City on February 8, 2026. The primary point of contention centered around a shirt pull by Manchester City’s Marc Guehi on Mohamed Salah that went unpunished with even a yellow card.
Guehi’s Shirt Pull: A Turning Point?
Slot repeatedly highlighted the incident involving Guehi and Salah as a critical moment in the match. He questioned how such a clear foul, potentially denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, could be overlooked. “I think the Sunderland manager is really happy he gives a red card,” Slot stated, referencing a hypothetical scenario. “If you follow the rulebook, and you have a clear shirt-pull by Guehi on Mo Salah…that is not a red card, then there is more of my frustration.”
Controversial Red Card for Szoboszlai
The match also saw Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai receive a red card for a shirt pull on Erling Haaland. While acknowledging that this decision aligned with the rulebook, Slot used it to further emphasize the inconsistency in officiating. He argued that if shirt pulls were consistently penalized, Guehi’s earlier foul should have resulted in a sending-off as well.
Penalty Decision Adds to Frustration
Adding to Slot’s discontent was the penalty awarded to Manchester City after a collision between Alisson Becker and Mateus Nunes. Slot acknowledged the contact but questioned whether the penalty was the correct call, particularly given the ball was already out of play. He expressed uncertainty about whether VAR would have intervened if the referee hadn’t initially awarded the penalty.
Slot’s Broader Concerns About Refereeing
Slot’s comments extended beyond the specific incidents in the match, suggesting a pattern of unfavorable decisions against Liverpool. He alluded to numerous other instances where he believed his team had been on the receiving end of questionable calls. “The ones that follow Liverpool know how many decisions I can come up with in all the other games as well, all the big decisions that could have gone in some situation to a 50-50,” he said.
Guehi Admits Foul Could Have Been Penalized
Interestingly, Marc Guehi himself admitted that the shirt pull on Mohamed Salah could have been deemed a foul worthy of a red card. This admission, reported by talkSPORT, adds another layer to the controversy surrounding the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was Arne Slot’s main complaint after the match?
- Slot was primarily frustrated by the lack of a red card for Marc Guehi’s shirt pull on Mohamed Salah.
- Why was Dominik Szoboszlai sent off?
- Szoboszlai received a red card for a shirt pull on Erling Haaland.
- Was the penalty decision controversial?
- Yes, Slot questioned the penalty awarded to Manchester City, noting the ball was out of play at the time of the collision.
Pro Tip: Understanding the nuances of football officiating can enhance your appreciation of the game. Keep an eye on rule changes and interpretations to stay informed.
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