Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted frustration following his side’s 2–0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad, pointing to what he called a “clear and obvious error” that denied Liverpool a crucial equalizer. Slot did not shy away from criticizing the refereeing, accusing the officials of inconsistency and “blatant bias.”
The defining moment came in the 34th minute. Virgil van Dijk rose to meet a cross and powered a header into the net, sending the Liverpool players and fans into a brief wave of celebration. The joy, however, was short-lived. VAR overturned the goal, ruling Andy Robertson offside and asserting that he interfered with goalkeeper Ederson’s play. The decision left the Liverpool bench stunned, Van Dijk visibly shocked, and Robertson protesting furiously.
Speaking after the match, Slot highlighted the inconsistency, referencing a similar scenario officiated by the same referee in a City versus Wolves game last season. In that instance, Bernardo Silva’s presence was deemed inconsequential, yet Robertson’s was judged critical in this match. “He didn’t interfere at all with what the goalkeeper could do,” Slot said. “That could have influenced the game in a positive way for us. For me, it was a clear and obvious error.”
Despite his criticism, Slot was careful not to blame the refereeing entirely for the defeat. “Being 2–0 down at half-time was a fair reflection of how the game went,” he admitted. “Even if we had equalized, City’s performance was dominant, and we would still have faced a tough challenge.”
Slot also reflected candidly on Liverpool’s tactical shortcomings. The strategies that had secured wins against Aston Villa and Real Madrid earlier in the week failed against City’s compact, overloaded midfield. “What worked against Villa and Madrid did not work today,” he said. “We struggled with how City brought so many players into the centre, making it easy for them to win duels.”
The defeat was a sobering reminder of the challenges Liverpool face in competing consistently with a team of City’s caliber. Yet, amidst the disappointment, Slot emphasized resilience. “Everyone is disappointed, but facing two strong opponents and then Man City at the Etihad is always difficult,” he noted. “Liverpool leave bruised, but not broken.”
The loss marked a pause in momentum after a thrilling week for Liverpool, but the team remains in contention and prepared for the battles ahead. Slot’s reflections underline both the frustrations and the realities of trying to match Manchester City over a full season.
