Slot left frustrated by key decisions in Man City defeat
Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed clear dissatisfaction with the officials’ call to disallow Virgil van Dijk’s first-half header during his side’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad. It was a night when City’s class and Liverpool’s inconsistencies both came into sharp focus — yet the conversation post-match centred around one crucial refereeing decision that arguably shaped the rhythm of the contest.
Slot questions key moments in major fixture
Slot’s team looked disjointed for much of the opening half but seemed to have found a lifeline when Van Dijk powered a header past Gianluigi Donnarumma from a Mohamed Salah corner. However, jubilation turned quickly to frustration.
VAR intervened, judging Andy Robertson to have interfered from an offside position despite appearing not to obstruct the goalkeeper’s line of sight. The decision left Liverpool players bemused and fans fuming — a scene that has become increasingly familiar in high-stakes Premier League fixtures.
Speaking to broadcasters after the match, Slot did not hold back:
“I think it’s obvious and clear that the wrong decision has been made, at least in my opinion. Robertson didn’t interfere at all with what the goalkeeper could do. It’s disappointing because moments like these can completely alter the flow of a game.”
Frustration grows over consistency of officiating
Slot went further, pointing to perceived inconsistency in decision-making. The Dutchman referenced a goal Manchester City were awarded against Wolves last season under similar circumstances — suggesting that what was deemed onside for one side was punished for another.
“Immediately after the game someone showed me the goal that the same referee allowed City against Wolves last season,” Slot added. “It took the linesman 13 seconds to raise his flag this time. There was clearly communication, but not consistency.”
Such remarks underline the mounting tension managers feel about VAR’s growing influence on major matches. For Slot, who has sought to build a calmer, more structured Liverpool side in his debut season, it was a rare public outburst.
City dominance highlights tactical divide
Despite the controversy, there was little dispute over which team deserved the result. Pep Guardiola’s side controlled possession, pressed with precision and exposed Liverpool’s defensive gaps repeatedly. Jeremy Doku’s pace on the left caused persistent problems, and his goal midway through the second half effectively sealed the contest.
Haaland’s opener and Nico González’s clinical strike had already put City in a commanding position. The champions-elect were ruthless, demonstrating once again their unmatched ability to convert pressure into goals. For all of Liverpool’s grievances about officiating, the tactical gulf was evident.
Gary Neville described Liverpool as “inviting defeat,” while Roy Keane called their performance “a disgrace” — damning assessments that reflected how flat the Reds appeared in crucial moments.
Slot faces mounting pressure to recalibrate
For Slot, this was more than a loss; it was another reminder of how far Liverpool remain from their title-challenging best. The defeat dropped them to eighth in the Premier League, eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal and now trailing Manchester United in the standings.
Slot acknowledged his side’s struggles, conceding that even with a correct decision, the result might not have been different: “We would have been lucky going 1-0 down at half-time, let alone 1-1. It’s an influential decision, but we still have to be better.”
City’s win brought them within four points of top spot, a statement of intent from Guardiola’s camp. For Liverpool, however, the night reinforced familiar frustrations — questionable officiating, tactical uncertainty, and a need for sharper execution in decisive moments.
Slot will now face the challenge of rallying his squad before their next fixture, knowing that patience among supporters will only stretch so far if results fail to turn.
