Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted to trying to influence referees during matches this season. This admission comes amidst a challenging period for Liverpool in the English Premier League (EPL), where every decision can massively impact the title race.
Slot, who took over managerial duties at Anfield, spoke openly about his attempts to create a "siege mentality" among his players and staff. He explained, "You try to influence as much as you can. The mistake I have made two times already here, and one or two times in Holland, is sometimes you think that creating an atmosphere that the whole world is against you can lead to some positive decisions at the end of the game."
Despite these efforts, Slot acknowledged that his attempts were ultimately ineffective. Reflecting on recent matches, he noted, "But here, until now, in the Chelsea game and the Fulham game for the whole 90 minutes it stayed the same.
It wasn’t like after I tried to influence things a bit, the referee all of a sudden gave us one or two free kicks. No, he just kept the whole game the same. I know that it doesn’t work, but sometimes you think: ‘Can I influence that a bit?’ But it didn’t help at all."
This admission followed Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Fulham, a match that saw Virgil van Dijk criticize the referee's performance, describing him as "nervous" and unable to communicate effectively. Such comments shows the tension and scrutiny surrounding officiating in high-stakes EPL matches.
Slot's actions have not gone without consequence. As a result of his attempts to sway referees, he has been banned from Liverpool's upcoming match against Tottenham. This ban highlights the league's commitment to maintaining integrity and fairness in officiating, despite the pressures managers may face.
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