Arne Slot says he was booked during Arsenal vs Liverpool on Sunday because fourth official Sam Barrott misunderstood a remark he made to defender Ibrahima Konate about opposition players.
Having started his career in England without a caution, new Reds manager Slot was booked for the first time for protesting during his team’s 2-1 home win over Chelsea a week ago.
Slot was sanctioned again by referee Anthony Taylor during the second half as Liverpool twice equalised to secure a 2-2 draw and remain unbeaten away under the Dutchman.
Arne Slot is pleased with his Liverpool side coming from behind twice to earn the point at The Emirates 🙌 pic.twitter.com/yLXBaGnRhQ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 27, 2024
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Slot: Arsenal ‘fell down’
“They’d been on the floor so many times,” Slot said of Arsenal’s players. “[That] can happen in football. I don’t blame them for that but they always fell down after ball possession, which took the energy out of the game, in my opinion.
“I said to Ibou, ‘this is a f****** joke.’ The fourth official thought I said to him ‘you are a f****** joke’. So that’s definitely not what I said. But I got a yellow for that, so now I’m on two and I have to be careful.”
The 46-year-old, who replaced Jurgen Klopp following the end of the German’s nine years at Anfield at the end of last season, said he “completely deserved” his punishment against Chelsea.
“They’ve been the best defensively in the Premier League”
Are Liverpool getting better under Arne Slot? 👀 pic.twitter.com/E9GSpKk0O3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 27, 2024
Arsenal ‘dark arts’
Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta is known for his animated antics on the touchline and for falling foul of officials because of his behaviour.
Arteta’s side were accused of using “dark arts” by Manchester City players including John Stones, Kyle Walker and Bernardo Silva after their 2-2 draw at Etihad Stadium on September 22, when they were accused of taking to the turf unnecessarily to slow the game down while leading 2-1 late on despite being reduced to ten players before the break.
The Spaniard dismissed those suggestions, while BBC Sport later reported it had obtained footage of goalkeeper David Raya being instructed to go down and receive treatment before players received instructions from Arteta during the stop in play.
“They’re time wasting!”
Roy Keane believes Arsenal have made progress but still isn’t sure if they have the conviction to win the league 🏆 pic.twitter.com/x02jE29lCD
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 27, 2024
Arsenal vs Liverpool: Slot pleased
Slot was happy with his team’s result at Emirates Stadium, which kept them four points above Arsenal and moved them one behind leaders Manchester City.
Virgil van Dijk swiftly replied to Bukayo Saka’s opener and, after Mikel Merino restored the hosts’ lead before the break, Mohamed Salah struck in the 80th minute.
“Going behind twice against a very strong and good Arsenal team, to get a point is pleasing… we deserved to be 2-1 down or a goal down at half-time,” reflected the former Feyenoord manager.
🗣️ “You’re not winning the Ballon d’Or as a right back for Liverpool” @Carra23 shares his thoughts on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s situation at Liverpool pic.twitter.com/YcHj3qdhoN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 27, 2024
“It was very pleasing to see that we had the energy and were so strong to get ourselves back in the game in the second half.
“One of the things that top players have is that they are always available and they show up in the big games, just like [Salah] did last week against Chelsea when he showed up with a goal and assist.
“You need to have these players who can make the difference for you and Mo was that today offensively, although we have to give credit to Darwin [Nunez] and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] for that [second] goal.
“Konate was also very good for us today. He doesn’t always get the attention he deserves.”
