After a painful loss, A. Slotas counted the referee's mistakes.

2026-02-09 11:00 © AFP

"Liverpool” is complicating their situation further in the battle for a place in next season's UEFA Champions League.

On Sunday, the English champions lost 1:2 at home to "Manchester City” and are now five points behind "Manchester United,” who are in fourth place.

After the match, Liverpool's manager Arne Slot focused primarily on the referee's decisions, emphasizing that the first red card in this match should have been shown to "City” defender Marcas Guehi.

"When you ask me about the referee's decision, I think about what you mean. A disallowed goal or a penalty in the first match between us, an obvious red card against Mohamed Salah, a penalty at the end of the match, or Dominik Szoboszlai's red card?”

"All of this is just from two matches against Man City; those who follow all our matches know that I could list moments when 50-50 situations go against us.”

"I can accept the decision, even though I don't like it, to show a red card to Szoboszlai. The referee decided to follow the rule book. Dominik clearly held Haaland, and that is a last-resort foul. It is a red card. I think 'Sunderland' is probably the happiest about this card.”

"However, if we are following the rule book, the first red card should have been shown to Guehi for the foul on Salah. We all know that Salah would score 100 goals from 100 situations like that. That is what causes the most anger.”

"I accept Szoboszlai's red card. Of course, if you love football, you will say the referee could have just allowed the goal. I am most upset about the foul on Salah, which, in my opinion, also deserves a red card,” - explained A. Slot.